TO H. R. H. THE DUKE OF CLARENCE. [Original draught, in the Nelson Papers. Another draught of this Letter, in which the expressions are slightly different, is also preserved.] Sir, 21st August, 1790. The retired situation which I am placed in, affords me seldom any other means of information but through newspapers; in which I read with sorrow, that your Royal Highness was prevented from being at Windsor on the Prince of Wales's birth-day by indisposition. It would give me real satisfaction to hear you are perfectly recovered. This, I recollect with pleasure, is your Royal Highness's birth-day: may many revolving years give me an opportunity of congratulating you on its return; and may each bring an increase of comfort, health, and honour to your Royal Highness, is the affectionate wish of Your most faithful and attached, HORATIO NELSON. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF CHATHAM, FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY. [Autograph draught, in the Nelson Papers.] My Lord, Burnham, Norfolk, September 26th, 1790. My wish to be employed is so great, that I trespass on 7 In November following Nelson requested his friend, Captain Lord Mulgrave, (p. 5 ante,) then one of the Commissioners for the Affairs of India, to use his influence in obtaining a ship for him. His Lordship replied on the 17th of that month: "Dear Sir, I have just received your very obliging Letter; had the Armament continued, I should have had the greatest pleasure in mentioning the just respect I entertain for your professional character, as well as my very sincere personal regard for you, with your very laudable claim for employment. I can only now repeat to you the assurances of the sentiments of esteem and friendship with which, I am dear Sir, most faithfully yours. MULGRAVE."-Original, in the Nelson Papers. VOL. I. U your Lordship's time with a Letter. I am sensible I have no great interest to recommend me, nor have I had conspicuous opportunities of distinguishing myself: but thus far, without arrogating, I can say, that no opportunity has been passed by; and that I have ever been a zealous Officer. I am sure Lord Hood will bear testimony of what I have taken the liberty of saying. If the Raisonable9 is not given away, I should esteem myself highly honoured by the command of her. I have the honour to remain, &c. HORATIO NELSON. TO THE REVEREND MR. NELSON, HILBOROUGH. [Autograph, in the Nelson Papers. Not a single Letter, written in 1791, has been found. During that year he resided chiefly at Burnham Thorpe.] Burnham, February 5th, 1792. My dear Brother, I thank you for your letter. It was not my intention to have gone to the Coursing meeting, for to say the truth, I have seldom escaped a wet jacket and a violent cold; besides, to me, even the ride to the Smee is longer than any pleasure I find in the sport will compensate for. When I go to London I may possibly go by Hilborough; but, on the other side, I know you are so short of hay, that unless I could buy a little I don't like taking three weeks or a fortnight's keep at least, where it is impossible to replace it. Mr. Suckling had not seen the present Earl of Orford1 when he wrote to me. The following is an extract of his letter: 'I am sorry so much cause for warmth has been given to your family through the inattention and ignorance of Mr. Dashwood, in omitting the invitation to attend at the funeral of the late Earl of Orford, which it was his duty to have 2 • Lord Hood was then one of the Lords of the Admiralty. The Raisonable, of 64 guns, in which Ship he first went to Sea. The celebrated Horace Walpole, who succeeeded his nephew, George, the third Earl, as fourth Earl of Orford, on the 5th of December 1791. 2 To whom the family of Nelson were related, vide p. 15, ante. done, having taken upon himself to conduct the same, and you had an indisputable right to expect it. I have only seen the present Earl once since his accession to the Title, which was on the day of the interment. He then asked me if I knew who Mr. Dashwood was, and by what means he got hold of his Nephew, as he was perfectly unknown to him. He mentioned that he had received a letter from him respecting the funeral, to which he had returned an answer declining all interference therein.' From this extract, I have no doubt but Dashwood thrust himself into the office, and was deputy for the Trustees, not for the present Earl, which, by his cards, he wished to be thought. However, the funeral is reprobated in this circle, a great deal of money thrown away, and no proper measure taken for a State funeral. Our news here is but little. Mr. Christian, of Brancaster, is presented to the Living of Workington, called £700 a year. The Martins3 in the same state of uncertainty as when you were here. Dr. Poyntz told me a long story a little time past about walnut trees and red filberts; but really I can hardly tell you what he said. However I think he meant that he had not the trees you wanted, as he had planted them last year, but that he would send some which, if you planted five or six years in your garden, they would be fit to plant out. I told him I fancied you would never live to get many of the walnuts. I am sorry for Mr. Cauldwell, but hope he will not suffer much pain. Our father is very tolerable, except now and then colds, which we have also had. I had letters from Commodore Cornwallis by the Swallow. He seems to have no doubt but that the War will soon be brought to an honourable conclusion. I wish it was over. It is thought he will stay there till it is finished, and then return Home, and no more Ships be sent out [at] present. I may now tell you, that if Kingsmill had gone to India, I was to have been his Captain, and the senior one sent out. However, that is over for the present. I had a letter from Maurice last night. The Navy is to be reduced to 15,000 3 The family of Sir Mordaunt Martin, Bart., of Burnham Hall, in Norfolk. men, but not the number of Guard-ships. Suckling1 returns to Cambridge to-morrow. Kind love to Mrs. Nelson, my Aunt, and Compliments to Mr. and Miss Randalls. H. N. I wish you much sport. Tycho is very well, and has afforded me a great deal of amusement. Mrs. Nelson will be obliged to Miss Randall to tell her where honey-water is sold in Norwich. Sir, TO H. R. H. THE DUKE OF CLARENCE. [3rd November 1792.] Your Royal Highness will not, I trust, deem it improper, (although I have no doubt it will be thought unnecessary,) at this time to renew my expressions of invariable attachment not only to your Royal Highness, but to my King: for I think very soon every individual will be called forth to show himself, if I may judge from this County, where Societies are • His youngest brother, who afterwards entered into Holy orders. 5 Mary Nelson, his father's eldest sister, whom he frequently mentions with great affection in his subsequent Letters. She died unmarried in March 1800, in her eighty-third year. 6 Some animadversion having been made on the Duke of Clarence's Parliamentary conduct, Nelson appears to have written to his Royal Highness on the subject, on the 12th of September 1792; and after acknowledging the receipt of that Letter, the Prince said, "I am so fully persuaded of your real regard for me, my good friend, that no fresh mark can be wanting to convince me still, however, at the present moment, when the public have two opinions, the one good, the other disadvantageous of my Parliamentary conduct, I feel highly obliged to you, as a person qualified to judge, to deliver your sentiments. I am by no means a friend to the present Minister; but my conduct can never militate against the good of my Country, and I think it is the duty of every citizen to prevent, if possible, that confusion which might throw our Kingdom into the wretched, deplorable state of France. Assure our common friends in the West Indies, that I will neither neglect nor desert them. My best wishes and compliments attend Mrs. Nelson, and ever believe me yours sincerely-WILLIAM." Original, in the Nelson Papers. formed, and forming, on principles certainly inimical to our present Constitution both in Church and State, of which our Dissenters are the head, and in this County they have great riches. Sorry am I to believe that others give a countenance to these Societies, who ought to conduct themselves otherwise. In what way it might be in the power of such an humble individual as myself to best serve my King, has been matter of serious consideration, and no way appeared to me so proper as asking for a Ship; and on Saturday last Lord Chatham received my letter, asking for the command of one; but as I have hitherto been disappointed in all my applications to his Lordship, I can hardly expect any answer to my letter, which has always been the way I have been treated: but neither at sea, nor on shore, through the caprice of a Minister, can my attachment to my King be shaken; and which will never end but with my life. I have been staying some time with my relation, Lord Walpole, near Norwich; at which place, and near it, the Clubs are supported by Members of the Corporation; and they avow that till some of the Nobles and others in Parliament are served as they were in France, they will not be able to get their rights. I am, &c. HORATIO Nelson." 7 In reply to a Letter which he had written to his friend Captain, afterwards Lord Collingwood, he received a long Letter, dated on the 14th of November, in which Collingwood said, "I am much obliged to you for your letter, which I received last month: it was particularly welcome to me, as it brought information of the good health of you and Mrs. Nelson. You must not be displeased that I was so long without writing to you. I was very anxiously engaged a great part of the time, and perhaps sometimes a little lazy but my regard for you, my dear Nelson, my respect and veneration for your character, I hope and believe will never lessen. God knows when we may meet again; unless some chance should draw us again to the Sea-shore. I, however, hope to have long the happiness of hearing of your welfare.”—Original, in the Nelson Papers. |