made me amends. I am at this moment under a prosecution by some Americans, for seizing their Vessels in the West Indies but I have wrote them word, that I will have nothing to do with them, and they may act as they think proper. Government, I suppose, will do what is right, and not leave me in the lurch. We have heard enough lately of the consequence of the Act of Navigation to this Country. They may take my person; but if sixpence would save me from a prosecution, I would not give it.

In some measure I agree with you about the Guard Ships and small Vessels; so far, certainly, that I would take half of every Ship's company that are Cruisers in the Channel, and put them into the new-commissioned large Ships, and let the small ones raise more. What the Papers tell us is to be the conduct of this Country towards Russia is retaliation; at least, if our friendship is worth buying, we may have our own price. Spain appears fixed not to let their Fleet come into the Straits. The Empress's armed Neutrality falls most deservedly on herself. I think if her Fleet is able to get out of the Baltic, we shall have a Squadron of large Ships in Gibraltar Bay, either to keep the Peace, or assist one side or other. Something

Mrs. Nelson desires her best

[torn]
in which joins

Compliments to Bradley.

TO MESSRS. WILKINSON AND HIGGINS, ANTIGUA.

Gentlemen,

[Original draught, in the Nelson Papers.]

Plymouth, 26th April, 1788.

This moment I have only been honoured with your letter of February 13th, and am surprised that you have not received a letter from me, dated at the Nore, in September last, more especially as I sent it to Sir Charles Middleton, (he having desired me to write you) stating, that a most honourable and liberal confidence might be reposed in him. Sir Charles has not only the abilities, but the power of doing more for you than I ever could have; and, I am assured

has as much wish to bring these iniquitous Frauds to light. This is his public character, I have not the honour of knowing his private one. Repeatedly I have seen Sir Charles Middleton; and he told me that every step should be taken; nay, that one of the Officers was not likely to go out again to Antigua.

Lord Howe told me that he had consulted with the Navy Board, and they would receive any communication from you, or myself, and do what was right; and further said, that you was entitled, on making good these representations, to a most liberal reward.

From Mr. Pitt, I had an acknowledgment that the papers were received by him, and sent to the different Departments. The Victualling Board comes under the cognizance of the Admiralty. I don't recollect in that Department you gave me any proofs; but I will look when I go to Town; and if I have sent any of them (which I did if you gave them to me) I will see the Victualling Board on the subject. His Grace of Richmond has not honoured me with an acknowledgment of the receipt of them: in other people's Departments he is most rigid for justice; therefore I am the more surprised. I would have you write to him. The Sick and Hurt fall under the cognizance of the Admiralty; but a letter addressed to that Board cannot but be very proper. I shall go to Town very shortly, and shall see Sir Charles Middleton; and, if he thinks fit, I shall see your answer to the Navy Board. At all events, I shall desire it, and you may rest assured, that no steps shall be left undone by me to accomplish the discovery of these mal-practices; and to get you the reward, which I have not the least doubt you will so well merit but I must apprise you that my interest in this Country is very small; therefore do not build that I can do much for you. Indeed, but little else than my integrity and public spirit can bring such an humble individual as myself into notice. But the goodness of the cause we are engaged in, will support itself at all times. More especially, I dare say, with such an upright character as Mr. Pitt.

His Royal Highness commands me to say, that was he placed in a situation where he could be of any service to this cause, most assuredly he would sift it to the bottom: but that

at present, (not having been from this Port since his arrival) he can only give his good wishes for the accomplishment of what you have begun. I am sorry any cause should be given for your suggesting to his Royal Highness your doubts of the propriety of conduct of so high a trust, and important an Officer, as you mentioned, but I hope in this case you will be mistaken.

I am much obliged by your good wishes in respect to myself. All his Majesty's Navy Officers, I hope, will act the same upright part, which you are pleased to suppose I should. Any letters addressed under cover to Maurice Nelson, Esq., Navy Office, will find me out. And I beg you to be assured I am your sincere well-wisher, and most faithful, humble servant,

ΤΟ · ·

HORATIO NELSON.

[Autograph draught in the Nelson Papers. The address is wanting.]

Exmouth, Devon, April 30th, 1788.

Sir, My brother having written me that you wished to have the letter of Messrs. Wilkington and Higgins to me, I have sent it. These gentlemen desire I will do them justice with your Board as to their ability to discover what they have pledged themselves to do. By the papers I saw, it conveyed to my idea most clearly the Frauds, (if they were not made for the purpose, which I cannot suppose,) and that it would be no very difficult matter to find it out. Nothing, I thought, could prevent these gentlemen bringing it to light, but what I mentioned to you when I had the honour of seeing you on this subject. These people must be fools indeed to effectually ruin themselves for a momentary reflection on the characters of these people. All their hopes of advantage certainly now arises from proving what they have alleged; and as they have only asked for rewards for what can be actually recovered, I

9 Nelson originally wrote "that some of the Crown Officers, whose cognizance their situation might place," &c.

5

cannot suppose but they are most serious in the progress of this discovery. In the West Indies they are most effectually ruined as merchants. It has been alleged they are bad men, and were partakers in these Frauds. Admitting it to be so, much good often arises from bad motives; therefore to benefit the Public I should never ask or care from what motives the good arises. Their letters to his Royal Highness Prince William are only repetitions, I take for granted, of their Memorial and Petition to Mr. Pitt, and some compliments to my assiduity while in that Country. They are certainly men of strong natural parts, and appear wonderfully expert at the per centage.

I am, &c.

HORATIO NELSON.

TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE OFFICE FOR
SICK AND HURT.

[Autograph draught, in the Nelson Papers. This letter was written in reply to one from the Commissioners, dated 22nd April 1788, (enclosing a Letter which they had received from Messrs. Higgins and Wilkinson of the 30th of January 1788, accusing their Officers of Fraud) requesting Captain Nelson to favour them with his opinion whether the charges were likely to be true, as they had no other grounds for suspecting their Officers; and they were "not willing to institute an inquiry without a reasonable cause."]

Gentlemen,

[End of April, 1788.]

I was only this morning honoured with your letter of the 22nd instant, addressed to me at Bath. Messrs. Wilkinson and Higgins made their representations to His Royal Highness Prince William Henry and myself of various Frauds in several Departments of Government, in such a strong manner, as I humbly conceived fully authorised me to transmit them to the Minister and First Lord of the Admiralty, that they might direct such measures to be taken as appeared to them proper. It is a very delicate task to handle the character of any Officer, more especially one who most certainly pays very great attention to the sick and wounded Seamen placed under his direction, and is in every respect a most humane man to all who fall sick in the Fleet. In respect to myself, I feel under particular obligations to Dr. Y-- for his care and attention to me during

my

last Station. Mess. Wilkinson and Higgins have made in other Departments such proof of improper conduct, as I think certainly entitles them to a degree of credit in this case. Every honest man, after such a letter as is wrote you, I should conceive would wish a most strict inquiry into his conduct, rather than let the matter drop. Mess. Wilkinson and Higgins were merchants in St. John's, Antigua, and partners with Mr. Whitehead, Agent to the Hospital.

I am, &c.

HORATIO NELSON.

TO HERCULES ROSS, ESQ., ROYAL HOTEL, PALL MALL,

LONDON.

[Original draught, in the Nelson Papers.]

My dear Friend,

Exmouth Moor, 6th May, 1788.

Your favour of the 1st found me in this remote corner, where I have been this last fortnight, enjoying the benefit of a first summer to a West Indian: no bad thing. However, as usual, my health is got up again, after the Doctors telling me they could do nothing for me; Dame Nature never has failed curing me.

We shall rest all next Sunday at Bath, in our way to London, and I shall examine the Pump-Room, to see if you and Mrs. Ross are at Bath; and should that be the case, I will have the satisfaction of taking my old friend by the hand. You have, as well as myself, undergone a great change, since we last met; and I hope, and have been told, are united to an amiable woman, the greatest blessing Heaven can bestow. But in this next, my friend, you have got the start of me. You have given up all the toils and anxieties of business; whilst I must still buffet the waves-in search of what? That thing called Honour, is now, alas! thought of no more. My integrity cannot be mended, I hope; but my fortune, God knows, has grown worse for the Service; so much for serving my Country. But the Devil, ever willing to tempt the Virtuous, (pardon this flattery of myself,) has made me offer, if any Ships should be sent to destroy his Majesty of Morocco's Ports, to be there; and I have some reason to think, that should any

VOL. I.

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