Sir, TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Autograph, in the Admiralty.] Boreas, Spithead, April 18th, 1784. I have the honour to acquaint you, that his Majesty's Ship under my command, arrived at this place yesterday, and enclosed is her State and Condition. Your answer to my last letter of the 14th, I received yesterday evening. I have therefore to suppose that my first of that day did not come to hand. Since I parted from you, I have encountered many disagreeable adventures. The day after I left you, we sailed at daylight, just after high water. The d-d Pilot-it makes me swear to think of it-ran the Ship aground, where she lay with so little water that the people could walk round her till next high water. That night and part of the next day, we lay below the Nore with a hard gale of wind and snow; Tuesday I got into the Downs: on Wednesday I got into a quarrel with a Dutch Indiaman who had Englishmen on board, which we settled, after some difficulty. The Dutchman has made a complaint against me; but the Admirality fortu nately have approved my conduct in the business, a thing they are not very guilty of where there is a likelihood of a scrape. And yesterday, to complete me, I was riding a blackguard horse that ran away with me at Common, carried me round all the Works into Portsmouth, by the London gates, through the Town out at the gate that leads to Common, where there was a waggon in the road,-which is so very narrow, that a horse could barely pass. To save my legs, and perhaps my life, I was obliged to throw myself from the horse, which I did with great agility: but unluckily upon hard stones, which has hurt my back and my leg, but done no other mischief. It was a thousand to one that I had not been killed. To crown all, a young girl was riding with me; her horse ran away with mine; but most fortunately a gallant young man seized her horse's bridle a moment before I dismounted, and saved her from the destruction which she could not have avoided. Kingsmill came to Town on Sunday, and has taken possession of his Ship and Land Frigate again. At Maidstone 1 see by the Papers, you have returned the old Members :7 how consistently Mr. Marsham has behaved to support Mr. Fox, and then thank the King for turning him out. There can be no good at the bottom, I am afraid. Lady Hughes is here, but I have not received my orders. Give my compliments to Madam Bradley, &c. and rest assured I am yours, most sincerely, HORATIO NELSON. Give my best compliments to George Smith: you can vouch for my intention to have visited him. Kingsmill desires his compliments. What inquiries you wish me to make about your land in Dominica, pray put upon paper. TO THE REVEREND MR. NELSON, BURNHAM. [Autograph, in the Nelson Papers.] Dear Brother, Boreas, Portsmouth, April 23rd, 1784. Come when you please, I shall be ready to receive you. Bring your canonicals and sermons. Do not bring any 6 Captain Kingsmill then commanded the Elizabeth 74, a guardship at Portsmouth. He was elected M.P. for Tregony. It does not appear what Nelson meant by "Land Frigate." 7 Clement Taylor, Esq., and Gerard Noel Edwards, Esq. The Honourable Charles Marsham, (afterwards second Lord, and first Earl Romney,) who had taken an active part in the debates on the India Bill, was re-elected for the County of Kent. Burnham servants. I cannot say any more, being much hurried. Yours affectionately, HORATIO NELSON. In less than a fortnight my Ship will not sail. I have a fine talkative Ladys for you to converse with. TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY. Sir, [Autograph, in the Admiralty.] Boreas, Spithead, April 29th, 1784. Be pleased to state to their Lordships, that William Bell, Gunner of his Majesty's Ship Medea, who has formerly sailed with me, and for whom I have an esteem, and Thomas Harries, at present Gunner of the Boreas, who is in a very bad state of health, are desirous of exchanging Ships; and I shall deem it a particular favour, if their Lordships will approve of the exchange, and to appoint them accordingly. Inclosed is their joint letter, and Their Lordships' orders of the 6th instant I have received; and as soon as the Ship's company are paid their advance, shall put their Orders in execution with all possible dispatch. I am, Sir, &c. HORATIO NELSON. Lady Hughes. TO WILLIAM LOCKER, ESQ. [Autograph, in the Locker Papers.-It seems to have been franked by Captain Kingsmill who wrote a few lines on it to Captain Locker: "Nelson's last, I imagine: he sailed to-day. He is a very good young man; and I wish him every enjoyment of life."] My dear Friend, Boreas, Spithead, May 14th, 1784. The Commissioner is now paying my Ship, and I am making use of the time that I may be able to save Post, as none goes out to-morrow. I was agreeably surprised by your letter, as I did not expect to hear you was in London. I thank you much for your news, which if true, hostilities must commence soon again with the French: God send, I say. But if Cornwallis9 is going out, I shall be a little vexed that I am not to be one of the Ships. Whenever I go to Dominica, you may be assured that every circumstance relative to your estate shall be inquired into. Jamaica is the place I wish to go to. I have not time scarcely to say, how much I am your devoted, HORATIO NELSON. I will write more by Sunday. WALKING THE BOREAS' QUARTER-DECK ON THE 30TH MAY 1784, AT 7 IN THE EVENING. [Autograph, in the Nelson Papers.-The great number of Passengers and Officers in the Boreas seems to have induced Captain Nelson to make the following List of them :] Lady Hughes Miss Hughes Lieutenants Wallace 1 Jameson M.3 Dent 2 R. Mr. Nelson 4 9 Captain the Honourable William Cornwallis. 1 Lieutenant James Wallis, who was appointed by Nelson, Commander of the Rattler in May 1787, but was not confirmed until 1794. He was Posted in 1797, and died between 1806 and 1809. 2 Lieutenant Digby Dent, made a Com mander in 1797. 3 James Jameson, Master of the Boreas. Afterwards Earl Nelson. • Joseph Bromwich; made a Lieutenant in 1793, and afterwards Warden of Portsmouth Dock Yard. He was discharged in the West Indies, and went to America. Vide p. 125. 7 Surgeon of the Boreas. The Purser and his wife. Vide p. 132. 9 Vide p. 132. 10 Mr. Oliver was discharged from the Boreas, for being concerned in a duel. Vide p. 125. 11 Richard Hughes, eldest son of Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Hughes he was made a Lieutenant in November 1790, and died a Post-Captain in 1810. 12 James Bremer, who afterwards commanded the Berbice Schooner, (so often mentioned in Captain Nelson's Letters,) Tender to the Flag Ship: he was made a Lieutenant in November 1790, and a Commander in August 1811, in which rank he died. 13 Now Admiral the Hon. Sir John Talbot, G.C.B. 14 The late Vice-Admiral the Hon. Sir Courtenay Boyle, K.C.H. Vide p. 247. 15 Mr. William Batty. 17 Maurice William Suckling, a distant relation of Captain Nelson, son of Mr. Suckling, of Wooton near Norwich. He was made a Lieutenant in 1790, succeeded to the estates of his family, and died without issue in 1820. 18 He was discharged because he had wounded Mr. George Andrews, a young Midshipman of the Boreas, in a duel. Vide p. 125. 19 Apparently William Tatham, who was made a Lieutenant in 1794. 20 Charles Lock. He was made a Lieutenant on the 22nd of November 1790, a Commander in 1796, and appears to have died Captain of the Inspector in February 1800. |