out to Jamaica: the Doctor thought I was in a consumption, and gave me quite up; but that Great Being who has so often raised me from the sick bed, has once more restored me, and to that health which I very seldom enjoy. I beg, whenever you see Commissioner Kirke, that you will present my best respects to him: he has always been very kind and polite. I hope Mr. Bradley is quite recovered: those African voyages 9 do not seem to agree well with his constitution. He ought to get rich by them, but that, I fear, he does not. To every other part of that family pray remember me kindly, and to all other friends who may inquire after me, and believe me to be, with the most unfeigned regard, Your much obliged faithful humble Servant, HORATIO NElson. Sir, TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [ Original, in the Admiralty.] Boreas, English Harbour, I beg leave to transmit you several letters, which Captain Wilfred Collingwood, of his Majesty's sloop Rattler, has sent me from the Island of Grenada. Their Lordships will perceive the difficulties which Mr. Byam has thrown in the way to hinder Captain Collingwood from performing his duty. Mr. Byam has thought proper to be guided by an Opinion which Dr. Scott sent out to this Country, although all good lawyers know it does not relate to the Navigation Act. It has been the means of much trouble to those Captains of the Navy who have endeavoured to suppress illegal Trade, for all those Lawyers make use of it, who mean to throw every obstacle in our way to prevent us from 9 Both Mr. Henry and Mr. Richard Bradley were enterprising men, and speculated largely on the Coasts of America and Africa, where they obtained grants of land. 1 Ashton Warner Byam, Esq., Attorney-General at Grenada, who was Knighted in October 1789. securing the Navigation to Great Britain to and from these Colonies. Mr. Byam, by demanding fees for advice, their Lordships well know, has thrown such an obstacle in our way, that very few Captains of Men-of-War can get over. Their Lordships will take some steps to obviate this difficulty. We cannot with propriety act without advice; nor have we ability to buy it. Had fees been demanded of me for the advice I have been necessitated to ask of the Crown Lawyers of the Leeward Islands, all my pay for the station would not have enabled me to ask it. Mr. Byam their Lordships will recollect in the case of the brig Abigail, which Sir Richard Hughes sent home last April. How different is this gentleman's conduct from Mr. Stanley, Mr. Burke, and Mr. Adye, the Crown Lawyers for the Leeward Islands. They are always ready to support and assist the Navy. This gentleman uniformly opposing them, and giving every countenance, I fear, to the admitting Foreign vessels to be registered in Grenada. This prosecution is forced, you will perceive, upon the Attorney-General; and I should not be surprised, although the fraud is so very clear, if he should be acquitted. And although it is a prosecution at the suit of the Crown, yet the Solicitor-General has thought proper to oppose the Crown, by taking part on the other side. 3 It is presuming in me, and needless, I trust, to remark what zeal Captain Collingwood has shown upon this occasion, in attempting to entirely hinder Foreigners from trading to our Islands; and with what perspicuity and clearness he has pointed out to the Crown Officer, the defects which the Vessels he seizes lay under. His conduct upon former occasions has not, I am certain, escaped their Lordships' observation; and I am sure such assiduity, alertness, and ability to serve his Country, will not pass unnoticed. 2 In a Letter from Mr. Burke to Captain Nelson, dated November 29th, 1786, he said, "I am very much obliged to you for the two Acts of Parliament; and I am much mistaken if the Gentlemen of the Navy are not obliged to you, for the final settlement of the very important question, concerning the right of Seizure, without any authority from the Customs."—Original, in the Nelson Papers. * Captain Wilfred Collingwood, of the Rattler. Sir Richard Hughes has formerly, I doubt not, done Captain Collingwood that justice his conduct so well entitles him to. I feel great pleasure in their Lordships having left such an Officer under my command. I have the honour to be, &c. HORATIO NELSON. TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Boreas, Nevis, 3rd November 1786. Sir, Herewith I transmit you the remainder of Captain Collingwood's Correspondence at the Island of Grenada. A total stop is put to our carrying on the Navigation Laws. The Custom-House Officers have the King's Chest to resort to; and if there is probable cause of Seizure, are allowed in their accounts the expense. As we have no such resort, their Lordships will consider this case, for it is out of our power to perform the duty imposed on us. The President of the Island of Grenada has stopped the proceedings by virtue of a clause in the New Act. Their Lordships will very soon find the ill effects of the Suspending Clause. Had the Governors, in the first instance, done their duty, in not granting Registers to Vessels who by Law were not entitled to them, the evil never could have arisen. I never expect to see any Vessels which are Registered in the Island condemned, if seized by the Navy. The interest of the Governors militates against it; and will Governors ever want a plausible tale to tell Ministers why they granted such and such Vessels Registers? No;-artful men will never want an artful story; and Oaths will not be wanting to confirm any tale. It would appear that the Suspending Clause has been got upon a fair American. I have the honour to remain, &c. HORATIO NELSON. Sir, TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Boreas, Antigua, 1st December 1786. Inclosed I transmit you, for their Lordships' consideration, an account of the difference of charges attending the Prosecution of two Vessels by the King's Advocate and Proctor, at the Island of Barbadoes, and those at the Leeward Islands. To the first, I stand pledged for payment; and the Cause is not yet finally decided. Therefore, the money must come from my pocket; and I am given to understand, that the Crown Lawyers of Barbadoes and Grenada will not proceed without being regularly paid, which is not in my power, or in that of very few Officers. Thus, an effectual method is fallen upon in those two Islands to hinder us from carrying the Acts of Parliament into execution. It can never be supposed that a Captain of the Navy, as a Custom-house Officer, seizes Vessels for their emolument, but as it is a duty imposed on them. I shall continue to Seize, and must leave the Prosecution of them or not to the Crown Lawyers. I cannot pay them till the Vessels are sold, nor then if the fees are like those of Barbadoes and Grenada, for the value of most of the small Vessels does not amount to that sum. Inclosed I also transmit you the State and Condition of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels in these Seas, And have the honour to remain, &c. HORATIO NELSON. His Majesty's Ship Pegasus,3 arrived the beginning of November: the Solebay arrived the latter end of November. 3 Under the command of H. R. H. Prince William Henry. TO MRS. NISBET. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. i. p. 88.] Off Antigua, December 12th, 1786. Our young Prince is a gallant man: he is indeed volatile, but always with great good nature. There were two balls during his stay, and some of the old ladies were mortified that H.R.H. would not dance with them; but he says, he is determined to enjoy the privilege of all other men, that of asking any lady he pleases. Wednesday. We arrived here this morning at daylight. His Royal Highness dined with me, and of course the Governor. I can tell you a piece of news, which is, that the Prince is fully determined, and has made me promise him, that he shall be at our wedding; and he says he will give you to me. His Royal Highness has not yet been in a private house to visit, and is determined never to do it, except in this instance. You know I will ever strive to bear such a character, as may render it no discredit to any man to take notice of me. There is no action in my whole life, but what is honourable; and I am the more happy at this time on that account; for I would, if possible, or in my power, have no man near the Prince, who can have the smallest impeachment as to character: for as an individual I love him, as a Prince I honour and revere him. My telling you this history is as to myself: my thoughts on all subjects are open to you. We shall certainly go to Barbadoes from this Island, and when I shall see you, is not possible for me to guess: so much for marrying a Sailor. We are often separated, but I trust our affections are not by any means on that account diminished. Our Country has the first demand for our services; and private convenience, or happiness, must ever give way to the Public good. Give my love to Josiah. Heaven bless, and return you safe to Your most affectionate, HORATIO NELSON. |