Victory, at Sea, January 4th 1804

My Lord,

Short as my force is of the Enemy's Fleet, which I enclose you a list of, and from the absence of the Kent, I wished to draw the temporary assistance of the Gibraltar, who is stationed at Naples for the protection of the Royal Family, yet receiving from their Sicilian Majesties the enclosed letters, and one from his Excellency Sir John Acton, and from Mr Elliot, stating the very critical situation of that Kingdom from the recent insolent threats of Buonaparte, and declaring that they look up in their distress to his Majesty's Fleet and requesting that I would not withdraw the Gibraltar from their protection, - what, my Lord, could I do?  I have ordered the Gibraltar to remain, and my determination never to abandon those faithful Allies of our Sovereign, and sooner than withdraw the Gibraltar from Naples, to fight double our force.  My heart, my Lord, is warm, my head is firm, but my body is unequal to my wishes.  I am visibly shook; but as long as I can hold out, I shall never abandon my truly honourable post.  I am, &c.

Nelson & Bronte

4th January 1804

An invasion of Sardinia is intended immediately on our departure, by the French from Corsica; it is therefore my direction that you remain at your present anchorage, and use your utmost endeavours in preventing the invasion of the French, and give every aid and assistance in your power to the Inhabitants, should it be attempted.  The Cameleon will give similar orders to Captain Staines, and direct him to remain on this service till further instructions; and you will get under weigh occasionally, as you may think proper.

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, at Sea, January 6th 1804

My Lord,

Herewith I transmit two letters which were taken in the mail from Antibes to Corsica, which, with many other circumstances, assure me that an early invasion of Sardinia is intended, of which I have transmitted my belief to his Royal Highness the Duke de Génévois, the Viceroy, and offered him all the assistance in my power, consistent with the other important objects of my instructions.

I also send you two letters from the Commandants of Madalena and Longo Sardo to my Chaplain and Interpreter.  I have therefore left a Frigate for their present protection; for however [great] my distress is, and greater it cannot well be for Frigates and Sloops, yet I could not allow the most important Island and Naval Station in the Mediterranean to fall whilst I have any means of preventing it; and under the keeping of Providence and my own mind, I hope I do all which the warmest wishes of my Country can expect from me.  I have, &c.

Nelson & Bronte

Not having Ships for the Blockade of Genoa, I have been obliged to leave it till the Admiralty can give me more Vessels, for more important services.

Victory, off Cape St. Sebastians, 9th January 1804

Secret.

You are hereby required and directed to take his Majesty's Ship named in the margin under your command; and after having waited forty-eight hours on the present Rendezvous from the receipt hereof, for the purpose of falling in with his Majesty's Ship Amazon (whose Captain you will order to join me immediately off Algiers with the intelligence he may have to communicate; but should Captain Parker not find the Squadron or Superb at anchor off Algiers, he is to return immediately to Rendezvous No. 97, under Cape St. Sebastians, and wait my arrival) you will proceed to the Bay of Roses for the purposes mentioned in my letter to you of this date; which, having accomplished, you will take a convenient opportunity of reconnoitring the Enemy's force at Toulon, and of ascertaining whether they are still in Port.  You will, immediately after having performed this service, return to Rendezvous No. 97, under Cape St. Sebastians, where you will remain till my return, unless the Enemy's Squadron has put to sea; in which case you will make the best of your way off Algiers and endeavour to join me with an account thereof.  You will inform any of his Majesty's Ships who may be in search of the Squadron, where I am gone, and that I shall not be absent from Rendezvous No. 97 more than ten days from the date hereof.

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, off Cape St. Sebastians, 9th January 1804

Sir,

I am to desire you will deliver the letter which accompanies this to Mr Edward Gayner, Merchant at Roses, who has been, some time ago, directed to purchase twenty tons of onions and one hundred head of oxen for the Fleet under my command.  If the onions before-mentioned are perfectly ready, you will receive them on board for the use of the Squadron; and if the one hundred oxen are purchased, you will direct Mr Gayner to have them ready for shipping at a moment's notice; and you will take such a number of the said hundred oxen as you may judge proper for the use of your Ship's Company, giving the proper and necessary vouchers for the onions and oxen you may so receive.  And it having been mentioned to me that a Quarantine of fifteen days must be performed by any of his Majesty's Ships going to Roses, I am to desire you will make particular inquiry respecting this very extraordinary circumstance, and demand of the Governor whether he has orders to prevent our receiving water and refreshments at Roses?  I am, &c.,

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, off Cape St Sebastians, 9th January 1804

Having received directions to send a discrete Officer to Algiers with Mr Falcon, his Majesty's Agent and Consul-General at that place, and to carry into effect the orders and instructions respecting him (as well as the capture and detention of several Maltese Vessels, Cargoes, and Crews) which accompany this, You are, therefore, hereby required and directed to receive the said Mr Falcon on board His Majesty's Ship Superb, under your command, and proceed with him to Algiers with all possible dispatch.  And whereas the Dey of Algiers having, some time ago, by force, sent Mr Falcon from that place, and since then, his Cruizers having taken several Maltese Vessels and their Crews, being Vessels considered as belonging to his Majesty's Subjects; and the Algerine Cruizers having also taken several Vessels which, although under Neapolitan colours, yet were under English Passes for the voyage, and carrying provisions belonging to, and for the use of his Majesty's Maltese Subjects (for as such they must be considered from the time of our possessing the Island in September 1798) you will therefore, in consequence of these hostile acts, anchor His Majesty's Ship under your command, out of reach of their batteries, and neither give or receive any mark of honour or kindness from the Dey until he has made full and complete reparation for the indignity offered his Majesty in sending away Mr Falcon, his Representative and Consul-General at Algiers.  You will herewith receive a letter from me to his Highness the Dey, which you will either send to him by an Officer, and desire him to appoint a time when you can have a conference, in order to the receiving full satisfaction for the acts of hostility against his Majesty and Subjects.  The reparation which you are to insist upon in his Majesty's name for the indignity shown to his Representative and Consul-General, must be a written declaration of sorrow for having committed such an act, and an assurance that it shall never happen again; and on no other terms is the Consul to be landed.

When this matter is settled, you are to enter upon the hostile act of his Cruizers having taken Maltese Vessels and their Crews, being in every respect Vessels and Crews belonging to his Majesty's Subjects, and you are to insist on the immediate restitution of the Vessels and Crews, and also (if found possible) pecuniary compensation for the damages sustained by this hostile act; and, although you will accept the Vessels, Cargoes and Crews, yet you are not to consider the matter as settled, but that great injustice has been done to his Majesty's Maltese Subjects.  With respect to the seizure of Sicilian Vessels with English Passports, carrying English cargoes of provisions for his Majesty's distressed Maltese Subjects - their taking these Vessels is a most unfriendly act, and you are to use every means of persuasion for their being restored.  In order that you may be fully prepared to meet the Dey of Algiers upon the various important subjects of your instructions, I herewith transmit for your information copies of two Admiralty orders, dated the 7th of July and 26th of August last, also an extract of a letter from the Right Honourable Lord Hobart, dated the 23rd of August, together with a Memorandum, dated the 9th of January instant, for your general guidance on topics of conversation with the Dey, and also the several letters and papers referred to in the orders, &c., above mentioned, from No. 1 to No. 4, which you will return to me, with the result of your mission to Algiers.  Having completed (if practicable) the object of your said instructions, you will join me without a moment's loss of time, on my rendezvous, No. 97, under Cape St. Sebastians.

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, off Cape St. Sebastians, 9th January 1804

Should the Dey refuse to receive you unless you return his salute, you will not do it; and acquaint him by letter that you will sail in twenty-four hours; and you will not receive any letter from the Dey to me, as that would open a negotiation which could never end.  In your first conversation with the Dey, every sorrow is to be expressed that his Highness should commit such an insult to his Majesty as sending away his Representative and taking his Maltese Subjects prisoners.  To whatever the Dey may urge, and endeavour to turn the conversation to any complaints of his own, you are never to reply, but always to answer by telling him that you were come for reparation of an insult, and not to attend to his complaints which he had sent to England and settled.  Although you will never give up the reparation due to his Majesty, yet if he sends off the Maltese, you will receive them; but you will never recede a tittle from your original demands. 

The Dey will probably, if you are parting with only part of your Mission accomplished, ask you repeatedly, 'Well, are we now at peace?'  To which, unless you completely succeed, only reply that you will communicate with me what of our just demands have not been complied with, and that is the only answer you will give.  Never appear satisfied with what has been granted, but demand what has not; and leave the question of Peace or War entirely open, so that it may hang over his head.  If the Consul is not received, I shall never send again to Algiers; and more reparation will be demanded if he even wishes to receive the offer now made him.  Should the Dey ( which I am told is often the case) rise up in a passion and retire, you will signify to him by letter that you will not submit to be so treated, and that you will never come into his presence again to be insulted; nor, unless you receive his word of honour that all your just demands shall be satisfied and finished if you go again to him, and that you will sail in twenty-four hours.

The Dey may, to our demand for the Sicilian Vessels, reply by asking, 'If one of my Subjects, on my account, freight a French Ship, will you allow her to pass?'  The answer would be, 'Yes, under similar circumstances.  If your Highness were driven out of Algiers, and all your Vessels destroyed - that you were with your Subjects besieging it, or having obtained it, as was the case with Maltese and British, and you freighted a Vessel with provisions to keep you from perishing, Great Britain would not take an Enemy's Vessel under those circumstances.  It would be the most cruel thing in nature to attempt starving our friends on any such pretence; yet your Highness' Cruizers attempted to starve his Britannic Majesty's Subjects under these circumstances.'

Nelson & Bronte

His Britannic Majesty's Ship Victory, January 9th 1804

Sir,

When I arrived in last June at Gibraltar to take upon me the command of his Majesty's Fleet in the Mediterranean, it was with the utmost surprise and sorrow that I found Mr. Falcon, his Majesty's Agent and Consul-General to Algiers, at that place, and that I understood from him that he had been sent from Algiers by force, and in the most indecent manner, by order of your Highness.  This insult to the person of his Majesty's Representative I judged of too great a magnitude for my interference, and therefore the statement of Mr. Falcon was sent to England in order to be laid before the King.

I need not, I am sure, point out to your Highness that Mr. Falcon, as representative of his Majesty, could commit no act in his private capacity which could subject his Majesty's Representative to receive the smallest insult from the Government of Algiers, and that any insult shown to him is, in fact, an insult to his Royal Master; and whether he was or was not privy to receiving (although I am satisfied that he was not) the Moorish women into his house, is not a matter of which I can take notice until reparation be made in the fullest manner to his Majesty for the insult offered to him in the person of his Representative.

This reparation for the indignity offered his Majesty, I am directed to demand of your Highness; and I trust from the good sense of your Highness, and from the amity which has always subsisted between his Majesty and your Highness, that you will find no difficulty in giving his Majesty full and complete reparation for the indignity offered him in the person of his Representative, Mr. Falcon, and also assurances that a similar insult shall never be offered again.  And as it is my intention to mark, by every means in my power, my former regard and respect for your Highness, I annex the words which are the least exceptionable which you can offer, or I accept, for the insult done his Majesty; and it must be delivered in writing before Mr. Falcon, his Majesty's Agent and Consul-General, can be landed.  For this purpose I have sent my right trusty friend Richard Goodwin Keats Esq., Captain of His Majesty's Ship Superb, to your Highness, to settle this matter in the most proper manner; and whatever he shall state in my name, I beg your Highness to consider as coming from me.

I sincerely hope that this disagreeable business will be settled in the most amicable manner, and it will give me the very highest satisfaction to convey to my Royal Master the sentiments of real friendship of your Highness.  And I assure your Highness that I am, with the greatest respect, your most obedient, humble servant,

Nelson & Bronte

The least exceptionable apology which will be accepted from his Highness the Dey of Algiers for the insult offered his Majesty:-

Nelson & Bronte

'I am most exceedingly sorry that, in an unguarded moment of anger, I should have ordered out of the State of Algiers the Agent and Consul-General of my great Friend his Britannic Majesty; and I declare, upon my faith and word as a Prince, that I will never offer such an insult again to his Britannic Majesty, and will with pleasure receive Mr. Falcon.'

His Britannic Majesty's Ship Victory, January 9th 1804

Sir,

It has been with the sincerest sorrow and surprise that I find that the Cruizers of your Highness have taken several Vessels belonging to the Island of Malta, which is, with its Inhabitants, under the Protection and Sovereignty of his Majesty; and, of course, every Maltese Vessel and Inhabitant is as much British as if owned or born in London.

The giving up of these Vessels and Crews, and making ample reparation for the damages they may have sustained, is so just that I will not allow myself to suppose that your Highness will hesitate one moment; and I also trust that your Highness will direct orders to be given that all the Vessels which were chartered by the British Government at Malta to carry provisions for his Subjects in Malta, be restored.  The judgment of your Highness will clearly mark the distinction between these Vessels being actually belonging to your Enemies, and being for that voyage, in fact, belonging to the British Government, and the Cargoes being bona fide British property; and your Cruizers could not have met with them but for the protection granted them by British Officers.  I have the honour to be, &c.

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, at Sea, 10th January 1804

Sir,

I yesterday received your most secret letter, dated the 21st of November last, communicating to me their Lordships' opinion on the Report of Survey upon the Gibraltar's defects; also that there was no immediate probability of their being enabled to relieve the Ships named in the margin [Kent, Superb, Triumph, Renown], but that Line-of-Battle Ships should be sent out with the Convoys (when the Public Service would admit of it) to enable me to send home any Ship of that description whose condition may render such measure absolutely necessary, signifying at the same time the service appointed to the Monmouth and Agincourt; and acquainting me that it is their Lordships' directions, in the event of those Ships not being able to bring the whole of the arms from Trieste, to make some arrangement for the removal of the remainder; and also to send home such of the said arms as may, by the Commanders of those last-mentioned Ships, be deposited at Malta.

In answer to which, you will please to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that their directions respecting the Gibraltar shall be duly attended to; and I shall rejoice exceedingly if the stores sent from England will enable Commissioner Otway to make her an efficient Ship: and it shall be my particular object to preserve the Ships under my command as much as possible from being exposed to unnecessary damages in their hulls, masts, rigging, sails, &c., and that the greatest care of every description of Naval stores shall be taken.

It gives me infinite satisfaction that the Monmouth had not sailed for England with the Convoy, and that she and the Agincourt were at Gibraltar ready to execute their Lordships' orders of the 21st of November last (copies of which are in my possession).  Strict regard shall be paid to the important service those Ships are ordered upon, and a very early opportunity taken of bringing away any of the arms which may remain at Trieste, and of sending them, together with those which Captain Hart may find necessary to deposit at Malta, to England, agreeably to their Lordships' direction contained in your said letter.  I am Sir, &c.

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, at Sea, 10th January 1804

Sir,

I have received your letter of the 24th November last, together with a copy of the one therein mentioned, from the Chairman of the Committee of Merchants concerned in the Trade to Gibraltar and the Mediterranean, respecting the depredations committed by the French Row-Boats that rendezvous at Tariffa and Ceuta, acquainting me, by their Lordships' direction, that it is of great importance that some arrangement should be made for the protection of our Trade on its entering the Straits, and to make such a disposition as may, in my opinion, be best adapted for that purpose.  In answer thereto, I have to request you will be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that I am perfectly aware of the danger our Trade is exposed to on entering the Straits, from the Enemy's Row-Boats and Privateers, as very justly stated in the inclosure which accompanied your said letter.  My first object, therefore, on my arrival at Gibraltar, on the 3rd of June last, was to remedy this evil as much as possible, and for that purpose stationed the Bittern between Gibraltar and Ceuta; and as soon as I was enabled to afford more protection to our Trade coming into the Straits, the Halcyon and Weazle were sent to relieve the Bittern on that important service, and the most strict orders given to Sir Richard Strachan, the Senior Officer of the Squadron outside the Straits, to afford our Trade, on its entry into the Gut, every protection in his power, and to use the utmost exertion in destroying the Enemy's Row-Boats and Privateers which infest that Coast, and from the Spanish Ports commit the most unprincipled acts of piracy.  I, however, trust that the Halcyon and Weazle will keep them in check, with the joint exertions of our Cruizers in that vicinity; and the moment I am enabled to afford more protection to that important service, it shall be done.

I herewith transmit you, for their Lordships' information, a copy of the orders which the Sloops before mentioned are under, together with a copy of a letter from Captain Gore of the Medusa, and extract of one from Captain Hart, giving an account of the capture of L'Esperance, French Privateer, and the destruction of Le Sorcier, on the 8th ult., and beg leave to express the very high opinion I entertain of Captain Gore's conduct, in putting to sea immediately on the appearance of these Vessels, and his very able manoeuvres in capturing and destroying them.  I am, Sir, &c.

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, January 11th 1804

My dear Sister,

Your kind letter of October 9th is just arrived, and you may rest assured that although I may not write or make all sorts of professions, which I might never have the power of accomplishing, yet I am not less anxious for for your and Mr Bolton's interest in every respect.  Sir William Bolton has not yet been fortunate; and if I knew where to place him in fortune's way, he should go.  If a Spanish War comes on, he is sure of one, or he must be truly unlucky.  With respect to Tom [Nelson's nephew], although I do not know if it be absolutely in my power to say I will entirely keep him at college, yet you may be sure of my assistance; and when poor blindy [the blind widow of Nelson's brother Maurice] goes the way of all flesh, and please God some other vacancies which at present drain my pocket very deeply, I shall be more at my ease in pecuniary matters, and of course better able to afford permanent assistance.  You know, my dear Sister, how I have teazed and teazed for that paltry Prebendary [an Anglican post at Canterbury for his brother, William], and I really believe no Minister would give me a place of £50 a year; but if I know what Mr Bolton looks to, I shall then know how to act.  My sincere friendship for him, independent of his relationship, would induce me to do everything in my power to meet his wishes, and that, I trust, he is sure of; but he knows I have had, in reality, not an atom of interest.  The French having no trade in the Mediterranean, but very little has been done in the Prize way; indeed, I am afraid my pursuit lays another way.  I never did, or could, turn my thoughts to money-making.  With most affectionate regards to Mr Bolton and all your family, believe me ever, my dear Sister, your most affectionate brother,

Nelson & Bronte

I am glad [to hear] such a good account of Mr Suckling of Wootton.  He is most perfectly right to keep his carriage and live comfortably.  Remember me kindly to him, and assure him that no person rejoices more at his comfortable situation than myself.

11th January 1804

I had not, my dear Lord, forgot to notice the son of Lord Duncan.  I consider the near relations of Brother Officers as legacies to the Service.  On the subject of promotions, I beg leave to say a few words, because I feel now exactly as you have felt in a similar situation to mine; and I rejoice that you, my dear Lord, are not only alive, but in Office to bear witness to the truth of my words, which I should have quoted even if you had not been in Office, 'that it was absolutely necessary merit should be rewarded on the moment; and that the Officers of the Fleet should look up to the Commander-in-Chief for their reward: for that otherwise the good or bad opinion of the Commander-in-Chief would be of no consequence.'  You always promoted meritorious Officers out of the Victory, and Ville de Paris, and many private Ships, for their merit.  The good effect was that whatever was undertaken, succeeded.  I myself stand in that situation, and Hardy, rewarded by you as Commander-in-Chief.  You know, my dear Lord, there is nothing you can desire me to do that I shall not do with pleasure; and if I had known the intentions of the Admiralty respecting the Lieutenant mentioned, he would certainly have been appointed; but having appointed a very gallant and meritorious Officer, who had in a most particular manner distinguished himself on board the Isis at Copenhagen, it would have lowered me in the Fleet that my follower, who had performed gallant services under my eye, should be displaced.

I trust you will be so good as to state what you thought proper for the benefit of the Service to the Admiralty, and be my friend at the Board.  I have said enough for any friend to act upon, and I rely on your kind support.  I shall certainly endeavour to imitate you when you commanded here with so much advantage to your Country.  I shall not trouble you with complaints of Ships, the Board shall be answered.  Thank God, the health of the Fleet has been wonderful, and I wish I could add my own; however, I hope to hold out to meet the French Fleet, and after that I believe my career will finish.  In addition to my other cares, Sardinia must be guarded; the French most assuredly mean to invade it, first, I suppose, under a pretext for keeping us out of it; and then they will have it ceded to them.  I have written to Lord Hobart on the importance of Sardinia, it is worth a hundred Maltas in position, and has the finest Man of War harbour in Europe; they tell me it is superior to Beerhaven - in short, it has nothing but advantages; the mode of getting it is to be considered by Ministers, but money will do anything in these days.  To keep it could not in the first instance cost half so much as Malta.  I can have no reserves - I venture my opinion, Ministers are not bound to follow it: I can have no views, but to benefit my Country by telling all I know of situations and how far they can be useful.  I am, &c.,

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, at Sea, January 11th 1804

My dear Lord,

You have allowed the effusion of your good heart to go too far, but I own it was grateful to my feelings; now I desire you will never mention any obligation to me again; I assure you on my word of honour that George Elliot is at this moment, for his standing, one of the very best Officers in our Service, and his Ship is in high order.  I placed him under Sir Richard Strachan's command off Cadiz, and he does nothing but praise him in every letter; I hope yet he will make £10,000, and then I have done with him; if Lord St. Vincent does not confirm him it will be the cruellest thing in the world, but I cannot bring myself to believe, and I hope he has got his Commission long since.  I beg you will present my respects to Admiral Elliot; I have had the honour of being introduced to him twenty-two years ago, but never had the pleasure of serving with him; but his action with Thurot will stand the test with any of our modern Victories.

Your speech, my dear Lord, was yourself, and there is not a tittle that every man who loves his Country must not subscribe to.  I have not heard very lately from Naples, but I expect a Vessel from thence every hour - their situation is very critical - Buonaparte threatening that if the King does not disarm his Subjects, he will march another Army into his Kingdom; the King has positively refused.  I have letters both from the King and Queen reposing the greatest confidence in our Country: of my services they are sure.  Sardinia, if we do not take it very soon, the French will have it, and then we lose the most important Island, as a Naval and Military station, in the Mediterranean.  It possesses at the Northern end the finest harbour in the world; it equals Trincomalee.  It is twenty-four hours sail from Toulon; it covers Italy; it is a position that the wind which carries the French to the Westward is fair for you to follow.  In passing to the Southward they go close to you.  In short, it covers Egypt, Italy, and Turkey.  Malta must not be mentioned in the same century.  I delivered my opinion on the inutility of Malta as a Naval station for watching Toulon.  A Fleet would sooner pass from St. Helens to Toulon than from Malta.  If I lose Sardinia I lose the French Fleet; and to keep it, it could not, in the first instance, cost half so much as Malta, and be of all the use of Malta, and ten thousand times as much.  I have told Lord Hobart fully my opinion on this subject.  I can have no reserves.  I venture my opinion.  Ministers are not bound to follow it.  I can have no views but to benefit my Country by telling all I know of situations and how far they can be useful.

The Turk calls me to might and main, so does Naples, Sardinia (and Malta for to guard Egypt) but my course is steady, and I hope some day very soon to fulfil the warmest wishes of my Country and expectations of my friends, amongst whom, in the first rate quality, I rate you, my old and sincere friend - and I only hope you may be able, at some debate, to say, as your partiality has said before, 'Nelson has done more than he has done before;' I can assure you it shall be a stimulus to my exertion on the day of Battle.  I have seven, the French ten, Spaniards sixteen at Cadiz, and going there easily from Carthagena.  I am now on my way to settle a little account with the Dey of Algiers; we had better be at open War than insulted as we have been.  Government have reposed great confidence in me, and I hope my conduct will meet their approbation; but, my dear friend, after all, this almost boasting - what is man? a child of the day - and you will scarcely credit, after all I have wrote, the the Medical gentlemen are wanting to survey me and to send me to Bristol for the re-establishment of my health; but whatever happens, I have run a glorious race, and I shall be for ever your most attached and affectionate friend,

Nelson & Bronte

The 20th of this month I have been eight months at sea - do not mention my health (it is my concern) I beg of you.

Victory, January 13th 1804

My dear Davison,

The Cutter brought me your kind letter of the 24th November, on the 9th; and as I do not know hardly where to begin thanking you, it's almost as well to say nothing.  But your kindness to my dear, good Lady Hamilton is what I shall never forget.  Your packages will come out safely in the Convoy.  That every person in Government or out should esteem you is not to be wondered at, and knowing you, not to esteem you, both as a public and private man.  I am sure you felt all which the sincerest friendship could do, that justice had triumphed.  This event will put me out of debt and, I hope, build my room at Merton, and leave my income, whatever it may be, unclogged.  I suppose my Agents will receive it.  They will do what is right.  As Mr Matcham [Nelson's brother-in-law] is buying an estate out of the Kingdom, perhaps he will want his £4000.  No; upon reconsideration, it is trust-money.  What a speculation he is going upon!  I have no fears for Old England whilst we are true to ourselves; and in that belief I send your Banking-house a Bill for £1000.  I do not know that it will all be mine, but it will serve to open an account.

Apropos of money; Hardy desires me to ask you what has been done about the Dutchman: whether you petition as the Agent, or whether the Captors must petition? and if so, to send them a form.  There is another Dutchman in the same situation at Malta, only laden with wine and brandy.

I am glad you are known to Mr. Addington: he is a good man.  I began a correspondence, or rather ventured an opinion on the state of affairs in this Country, but he had not time to answer me and turned me over to Lord Hobart, who I now write to occasionally; but in fact I have nothing to write about.  That the French are rascals, every one knows; and that they want Naples, Sicily, Sardinia, and Turkey, and Egypt, and Malta - by the way, to write this is no news; nor that I long most ardently to meet the French Fleet.  I think they cannot remain much longer in Port.  If they do, they might as well have no Fleet.  Whenever you write to Lord Moira, you will not fail to remember me most kindly.  I have entrusted him with what I did not believe I would entrust any man; and I hope he will be a firm supporter of Mr Addington's Administration.  You know, my dear friend, that I could not get a Ship with me; no, not even the Victory.  Captain Sothern I never saw but once; therefore I could not ask for him.  Nothing, Sir Andrew ought to know, would give me more sincere pleasure than to have, not merely the Plantagenet, but Captain Hamond.  It must be desirable to have our friends round us.  I am with perfect strangers, although I believe very good men.  For Heaven's sake, do not let him think that I neglect him for a moment, or that I should not upon every occasion be happy to meet his wishes upon every subject.  Pray explain that I have no influence.  It is most true.  But never mind: we shall all have our day. 

I do not think we shall have a Spanish War, although they are fitting sixteen or eighteen Sail of the Line at Cadiz.  Prizes I never sought for, and I hope never shall.  All my object and wish is to meet the Enemy's Fleet, and then I hope to get a little rest; for I am really fagged - always tossed about, and always sea-sick.

I wish you would get rid of the gout.  You will never be able to run after Buonaparte.  Are Colonels allowed to ride?  But as sure as he would have come had we not been prepared, so sure he will not come now we are.  If he does, his destruction will give us an honourable Peace.

I am truly sorry to hear that my friend Nepean has been ill.  I hope, from my heart, that he will far away weather all his enemies, or false friends.  With every sincere good wish for your health and happiness, believe me for ever your most obliged and faithful friend,

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, 1/2 past 8am, 17th January 1804

My dear Sir,

We just see you, although not near enough to communicate; therefore I put down two or three things as they occur.  You will not bring out any person for me to send to England from the Dey upon any account, nor any letter to England, which may tend to prolong the business.  All must now be settled, and if so, you may take a letter for England, or myself.  If you do not think that the presence of the Fleet is longer necessary, I am anxious with this wind to return under St. Sebastians.

You will settle all matters as far as is possible, and leave nothing for any pretence of sending messages to me.  You have my confidence.  The Consul being received according to my instructions, the collecting all the Maltese together may be a work of some time, which Mr. Falcon can do if the principle of restitution is agreed upon.  It blows so strong at 9 o'clock that we can see nothing; therefore I send the Niger with this letter.  You need only say 'We go on well or ill; stay off here, or you may go.'  The Dey will not know but every day we may re-appear.  I beg my compliments to Mr. Falcon; there were no letters for him on board the Seahorse.  I am ever, my dear Sir, your most faithful servant,

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, off Algiers, January 17th 1804

My dear Sir,

I approve very much of all your conduct; but with respect to Mr. Falcon's not being received, that is a point I can never give up; for if that is given up, he will always remove any Consul who does not please.  I can appoint no other: at the same time, if Mr. Falcon either does not choose to land, or the Dey still refuse to receive him, and yet give up the Maltese, you will receive them, and comply with that part of your instructions - viz., not telling him whether we are at Peace or War; but that you will inform me that his Highness has not given satisfaction for the insult done his Majesty in sending away his Representative. 

If you could make him understand, he might complain of Mr. Falcon after receiving him, and it is possible his Majesty, as a mark of his friendship, might remove him, you will act properly; and if nothing can be done, you must come away, but bring nothing to me unless he gives up the Maltese.  I am ever, my dear Sir your most obedient and faithful servant,

Nelson & Bronte

January 17th 1804

My dear Sir,

If the Minister of the Marine is to send you out a Boat with any message, you can stand in, and to any message send the ultimatum - all our demands must be complied with.  If not likely to end to your wishes, do not condescend to go to him, but leave Algiers in doubt of the event.  I am ever yours faithfully,

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, January 17th 1804, 7pm

My dear Sir,

If you think it may be of any use to stand in tomorrow morning, do so; if not, join me.  I will not give up an iota of my original moderate demand; I should betray my trust I did.  But leave the question of absolute War, for the reasons you know, undetermined.  I will have all the claimed Maltese delivered, and Mr Falcon received.  I am, dear Sir, yours faithfully,

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, at Sea, January 19th 1804

My Lord,

In obedience to His Majesty's commands, signified to me through the Admiralty of July 7th and August 26th, and through your Lordship on August 23rd, I lost not a moment after the arrival of Mr. Falcon, his Majesty's Agent and Consul-General, to detach His Majesty's Ship Superb, commanded by a most excellent Officer and sensible man, Captain Keats, to Algiers, with the Instructions No. 1, and Memorandum No. 2, together with every Paper necessary for his guidance; and, as I thought the appearance of the Squadron might add weight to the Mission (and the French Fleet being in Toulon on the 6th), I stood over to Algiers, and made my appearance on the 17th.  By Captain Keats' letters your Lordship will observe that the Dey was immovable, both as to receiving Mr. Falcon, or giving up those persons the Government of Malta claimed as Maltese; therefore, I have apprised both Sir Alexander Ball at Malta, and Sir Thomas Trigge at Gibraltar, of the failure of our Mission, by the enclosed Memorandum.

The insolence of the Dey is only to be checked (with due submission to whatever His Majesty may please to direct) by blockading Algiers, and his other Ports of Bona and Oran, and to capture his Cruizers; for the more that is given up to him the more he will demand with insolence in future.  Therefore, I should propose that, on the 28th day of April next, when, if he means to send his Cruizers to sea, they will be out, that, on that day, every Ship under my command should have strict orders (to open on that day) to take, sink, burn and destroy every Algerine, and that, on that day, the Ports of Algiers should be declared in a state of Blockade.  Thus, the Dey could get neither commerce, presents, or plunder; and although the other Powers may rejoice at the War with us, yet, my Lord, I am firmly persuaded that it will be most advantageous to us (and humiliating to the other Powers whom he will squeeze) for the next one hundred years.  If I should find his Cruizers at sea before that time, in consequence of what has passed, I shall of course take them, but my wish is to make a grand coup.  I have, &c.,

Nelson & Bronte

P.S. - I am so very unwell that I have wrote very incorrectly, which I must request your Lordship to excuse, for I could not write another letter.

Victory, at Sea, 19th January 1804

The Dey of Algiers having refused to receive the British Consul, all Ships are cautioned to beware how they approach the Coast of Algiers, or permit themselves to be boarded by the Algerine Cruizers.

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, January 19th 1804

My dear Lord,

As the wind is Easterly, I hope the Frigate which I send with the result of our Mission to Algiers, will catch the Cutter at Gibraltar, where I was obliged to send her to clean her bottom and repair her mast, and to send my letters by the Childers.  All the time the Cutter was with us, she was obliged to be towed.  She sailed worse than any Ship in the Fleet.

Before the summer is out, I dare say the Dey of Algiers will be sick of his insolence, and perhaps have his head cut off.  I have recommended Mr. Falcon to go to England, and then he will be able to explain every part of his conduct; but it appears to me that Mr. Falcon's conduct has been spirited but perfectly correct; and that the two women found in his house was greedily seized as the pretext for getting rid of a clear-headed, spirited man.  I should do great injustice to my own feelings if I did not state my opinion to your Lordship, and other his Majesty's Ministers.  I have only a few hours to write all my letters, as the wind is Easterly, and you know that is not to be lost; but I am ever yours most faithfully,

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, at Sea, 19th January 1804

Sir,

Having with much attention read over your several letters communicating to me the purport of your conference with the Dey of Algiers on the subject of his receiving Mr. Falcon, his Majesty's Agent and Consul-General to that place, whom he had so indecently turned out of his Dominions, as well as the several circumstances which you judged necessary to state to him by letter in farther obedience to the instructions you received from me, I beg leave to express my full and entire approbation of the whole of your conduct, which appears to have embraced every proper and conciliating measure for the purpose of accomplishing the object of your mission to Algiers, and that everything has been done on your part consistent with the honour and interest of his Majesty's Government to bring the Dey of Algiers to a right understanding, which I have communicated to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and his Majesty's Ministers.  I have the honour to be, &c.,

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, at Sea, 20th January 1804

Whereas it is my intention that Mr. Falcon, his Majesty's Consul-General at Algiers, shall proceed, with as much expedition as possible to Lisbon in any of his Majesty's Ships or Vessels bound to that place, You are therefore hereby required and directed to receive the said Mr. Falcon on board his Majesty's Ship or Vessel under your command, together with his Secretary, suite, and baggage, and give them a passage to Lisbon (with every necessary accommodation) should the communication between us be open.  You will also, in the event of my Public dispatches forwarded by the Seahorse, being too late to go to England in the British Fair, Hired Armed Cutter, receive them on board, and on your arrival in the Tagus you will deliver them to the Post-Master at that place, taking his receipt for the same: having so done, pursue the object of your former instructions.

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, January 20th 1804

My dear Lord,

I have had much conversation with Captain Keats, but the whole of the conference with the Dey, if such a meeting can be called a conference, was nothing but rage and violence on the part of the Dey, and firmness on the part of Captain Keats, the stamp of whose character (if it was not so well known by his actions) is clearly marked by his sensible, clear letters.  Amongst other questions, and his swearing that he never would receive Mr. Falcon, he was asked, 'What complaint have you?' his answer was, 'Women in his house.'  Captain K., 'That we can prove he was not privy to.'  Answer, 'Well, they were in his house and he is answerable; besides, two years ago, his servant rode over a Moor and killed him.'  I merely mention this part of the conversation to show your Lordship, as I am now convinced, that Mr. Falcon has committed no impropriety, but that he is disagreeable by his spirited conduct.  Your Lordship will find him a very sensible, clear-headed man.

After what has passed, it is not for me to suggest any mode, short of hostilities, to the wisdom of His Majesty's Ministers; the only thing to be done short of hostilities, and even that is in some measure giving up the point, is a declaration that His Majesty will never to this Dey send another Consul to be liable to insult, and to demand what we can prove by name were taken in Maltese Vessels.  Mediterranean Passes should be sent out to Malta, as was done to Minorca.

I shall be very anxious to receive His Majesty's commands, and I will endeavour to withhold from hostilities till they arrive, which, if sent as soon as possible, may be in March.  I shall give Mr. Falcon a letter of introduction to your Lordship; and I have, &c.,

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, at Sea, 20th January 1804

Sir,

Mr. Falcon, his Majesty's Agent and Consul-General at Algiers having joined me, I detached Captain Keats in the Superb to Algiers and supported his Mission by showing the Squadron off Algiers on the 17th Instant; but, as their Lordships will perceive by the enclosed papers, nothing can be done with the Dey at present by anything but humiliation, which I shall never assent to; for if we do, he will treat us in future (as he has often threatened) like the Danes and Swedes.  As all his Cruizers are in Port, I have left the business of declaring to the Algerines hostilities until a more favourable opportunity offers of giving his Marine, which has been allowed to get too powerful, a most severe blow.  I have apprised both Sir Alexander Ball and Sir Thomas Trigge, by the enclosed notice, to warn our Commerce.

I am sure the conduct of Captain Keats has been such as will merit the increased esteem of their Lordships as it has done of, Sir, &c.,

Nelson & Bronte

Victory, at Sea, 20th January 1804

Sir,

As great circumspection is necessary to prevent our Trade from falling into the hands of the Algerines in case they should be hostile to us (as you will observe by the enclosed Notice) I am to desire you will be pleased to acquaint the Commanders of all future Convoys bound up the Mediterranean to pass, if convenient, to the Northward of Ivica and Majorca; but should that not be practicable, to pass close to the Southward of Ivica and Majorca, unless under the protection of a Ship of the Line.  I am, &c.,

Nelson & Bronte