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Sir,

TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.

[Original, in the Admiralty.]

Boreas, at the Nore, 20th August, 1787.

I have the honour to acquaint you with the arrival of his Majesty's Ship under my command at this place. Inclosed is a State and Condition of his Majesty's Ship.

I am, &c.

HORATIO NELSON.

TO THE REVEREND MR. NELSON, HIlBorough.

[Autograph, in the Nelson Papers.]

10, Great Marlborough Street, August 25th, 1787.

My dear Brother,

since my arrival at the There is not at present

Your letter of the 16th I received Nore, where I arrived on the 20th. the least probability of the Boreas being paid off: on the contrary, we are ordered to be in readiness to sail in a moment's warning. I have, therefore, been under the necessity of bringing my wife up to Town, till I can tell what is to become of me. I am much obliged about your inquiries at Bodney, but by your description the house seems too large for my purpose. It appears from the size, &c., very cheap, but I can't afford everything answerable to such a situation. I am much flattered by the honour you intend me if the young stranger should be a boy.

We beg our best compliments to Mrs. Nelson, and hope soon to hear of her safe delivery. Mr. Suckling will take care of Lord Walpole's wine when it is possible to get it to London. Maurice goes down with me to-morrow, and Mr. and Mrs. Suckling set off yesterday, just as I arrived in Town, so I shall have good company for a few days. Adieu. Yours, most affectionately,

Love to your neighbours.

HORATIO NELSON.

Sir,

TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.

[Original, in the Admiralty.]

Boreas, Nore, 29th August, 1787.

I have received your letter desiring me to give my reasons why I appointed Joseph King, late Boatswain of the Boreas, Sail-Maker's Assistant of his Majesty's Yard at Antigua, notwithstanding the remonstrances of the Officers of the Yard, and notwithstanding it was in the Civil Department of the Navy, and not strictly within my authority.

I beg leave to observe that although the Civil Department of the Navy abroad is not strictly within the authority of Commanding Officers, yet by vacancies which daily happen, it is a constant drain of our best artificers to supply the rooms of others.

I appointed Joseph King to the place of Sail-Maker's Assistant, as, to my knowledge for some years, he was quite fit for the employment. I know not of remonstrances-I never allow inferiors to dictate. As to his being insane, and in consequence thereof, deprived of his employment as Boatswain, I beg to acquaint the Board that as he was squaring the yards he was struck with the sun, which, the Naval part of the Board knows, renders a man for some length of time wholly unfit for employment, that requires so much activity and exposure to the sun. He was always employed in the Sail-loft from the time of the Boreas's arriving in that Country until he was at my recommendation made Boatswain of the Falcon; and when the Ship under my command required one, I applied to the late Commander-in-chief to appoint him to the Boreas, which he was rendered unfit for near a year afterwards by an unfortunate accident.

I did in him, as to all other Appointments, order the Officers of the Yard, more particularly the Deputy Naval Officer, to acquaint me if they behaved improperly, and I would [send] them so good a man, indeed so valuable a one being a Sail-maker as well as a seaman, that I shall be very glad to receive him as Boatswain, as a cold climate every one

knows instantly relieves that complaint; and he never was affected in the under-cover employments. I am, Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

HORATIO NElson.

P.S. I beg leave to acquaint the Board that the present Boatswain is a very valuable man.

Sir,

TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.

[Original, in the Admiralty.]

Boreas, Nore, 1st Sept. 1787.

I beg leave to acquaint you that George Williams, a seaman belonging to his Majesty's Ship under my command, deserted yesterday morning from duty. I have therefore thought proper to send you his description, that their Lordships may, if they think fit, take such measures as may be necessary for apprehending him. I have no doubt of his having gone for London.

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I beg to acquaint you that yesterday, a boat being on shore upon duty, William Pope, a seaman belonging to his Majesty's ship under my command, was arrested by Writ of the High Sheriff of Kent for a debt of £21 at the suit of John Rowe, a landlord of Gosport; and as I have reason to think that the reason of this arrest is only to give the people an opportunity of going to London and leaving the Ship, as William Pope has pay due from his Majesty's armed Store-Ship the Cyrus, which I understand the landlord means to make him receive, I have therefore to request their Lordships' interference, or

the Ship under my command may by this means be unmanned; other publicans, as well as this man, having declared they have taken out Writs against several of the men, and as the debts are far more than £20, they have a right to take them out of the Ship. I beg their Lordships' orders whether I am to give up these men, or in what manner I am to act.

I have the honour, &c.,

HORATIO NELSON.

Sir,

TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.

[Original, in the Admiralty.]

Boreas, Nore, 21st September 1787.

On the 4th of this month Joseph King was entered by the Clerk of the Cheque of this Yard, as Boatswain of his Majesty's Ship under my command, in obedience to a Warrant dated at the Navy Office, the 27th August 1787, and discharged Charles Green, acting Boatswain of the said Ship on the 3rd.

On the 20th Charles Green, late acting Boatswain, was entered as Boatswain of his Majesty's Ship under my command, agreeable to a Warrant dated at the Navy Office, the 13th Instant. I am therefore requested by Joseph King to write to their Lordships, to request they will be pleased to appoint him to some other Ship, as he hopes he has done nothing deserving of being superseded; and I beg leave to recommend him as a most excellent gentleman.1

I am, Sir, &c.,

HORATIO NELSON.

Professional readers will think this an extraordinary description of a

boatswain.

VOL. I.

S

TO THE REVEREND WILLIAM NELSON, HILBOROUGH.

[Autograph, in the Nelson Papers.]

My dear Brother,

Boreas, Nore, September 23rd, 1787.

It is an age since I heard from you: not once since I came to this place. I hope nothing is amiss to deprive me of that pleasure, and that Mrs. Nelson is well. I don't know whether you have yet a son and heir. If you have, pray accept my congratulations on the occasion. We are here laying seven miles from the land on the Impress service, and am as much separated from my wife as if I were in the East Indies. A War seems at present inevitable. What the Marquis of Buckingham may be able to do, time must prove; but I dare say the French King has fixed his resolves and will not alter them. It looks like a general War.

I suppose Boreas will be paid off, and her men put into some other Ship, but what may become of me, depends on Lord Howe. I always was for actual service, and should not like to be an idle spectator. Jemmy Jamieson is well, as we are all on board; and desire their compliments. I have this moment your letter of the 21st, and am happy to hear Mrs. Nelson is so well. I beg my best respects to her. I am this moment getting under sail after some Ships. Adieu, and believe me your affectionate Brother,

HORATIO NELSON.

Sir,

TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.

[Original, in the Admiralty.]

Boreas, Nore, September 30th, 1767.

The bearer hereof, Joseph King, late Boatswain of his Majesty's Ship Boreas, under my command, who was superseded a few days past by their Lordships;-I beg leave to recommend him as one of the best Boatswains I have seen in his Majesty's Service.

I am, Sir, &c.,

HORATIO NELSON.

4 Master of the Boreas.

5 Mrs. Nelson gave birth to a daughter, Charlotte Mary, now Lady Bridport,

on the 20th of September 1787.

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