TO MRS. NELSON. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. i. p. 186.] 4th August, 1794. Except a very slight scratch towards my right eye, I have received no hurt whatever: so you see I am not the worse for Campaigning; but I cannot say I have any wish to go on with it. This day I have been four months landed, except a few days when we were after the French Fleet, and I feel almost qualified to pass my examination as a besieging General. The Victory, Britannia, and Agamemnon, are all gone from hence by the violence of the gale, which still continues. Since my last letter the Enemy getting four Vessels in, the Truce was at an end. It suited their convenience. After thirty-six hours open batteries, another Truce commenced, which has now lasted from August 1st, eleven o'clock forenoon, I suppose on the same ground as the other, that if no succours arrived by a specified time, then the place to be surrendered. I dare say the General and Lord Hood have good reasons for their conduct, nor do I mean in the smallest degree to arraign them; but I hope twenty-five years in the service will plead my excuse for giving an opinion, even to you, Sir, who will not let it go further. What are the Enemys' inducements to get this kind ofTruce? -their works are not going to ruin, you are getting, they know, every day more and more less able to act against them, and if the Convention can or mean to send them succours, it affords time for it; for if this lasts much longer, and a few Boats get in, you will not be in a condition to remain on this ground. I have no doubt but we could, after having ruined the defences of this place, have made a breach in the Bas over. tion,- at all events have run a mine under it, and blown it into the air in less time than this Truce has lasted; and I own I had rather take a place by our own fire and efforts, than by the Enemy being starved and sickly. But I believe it is all The General sends them every day a bullock for their sick. This place taken, it will set Lord Hood at liberty to look at the French Fleet. Reports say they are too securely moored to be got at in any way; but if they can, I am sure his Lordship will attempt something, in which I am sure he will have the support of every Officer in his Fleet. Laurels grow in the Bay of Biscay,'-I hope a bed of them may be found in the Mediterranean. The General, who is a worthy good man, and excellent Officer, has not been well, but he is better. I hope Lady Elliot and your family will arrive in perfect health; for I assure you, Sir, that whatever will give you satisfaction, must always be pleasing to Your most obliged, humble Servant, Perhaps my pen has been too free. Be so good as to burn my letter when read. TO ADMIRAL LORD HOOD. [Copy in the Admiralty, transmitted by Lord Hood.] My Lord, Camp, August 5th, 1794. As the Officer of the Cutter has informed me he thinks it right to endeavour to find your Lordship, I take the opportunity of sending you a letter from Sir Gilbert Elliot, and to say we are in the same state you left us on the 3rd. I do not find the strong winds have lessened our sick. We now only 3 In Gourjean Bay. Alluding to Lord Howe's Action. 5 Maria, eldest daughter of Sir George Amyand, Bart. She died in February 1829. VOL. I. H H keep half our Seamen at the batteries, yet we have seventy sick on shore, and I sent thirty to the Agamemnon yesterday. The Troops are worse than ourselves by far. As soon as the weather moderates, I shall get the Transports here ready to sail with this Garrison, as the General is desirous to get rid of it as soon as possible-even to think some may be sent away before the 10th. Should your Lordship not be here, I shall endeavour to act as I am sure your Lordship would have me, which is to comply with the General's wishes in everything; but I hope you will be here very shortly. I have the honour to be, &c., HORATIO NELSON. [On the same day Captain Nelson wrote a Private Letter to Lord Hood, which is now in the Hood Papers. It is in exactly the same words as the preceding, with these additions:] I shall endeavour to act as I think you would wish me, which is to comply with the General's wishes in everything which is proper, but I hope to see you here before many days are past. Two Frigates keep their Station very well, and Fox and Lugger are here at anchor. truest esteem, Believe me with Your Lordship's most faithful HORATIO NELSON. I have to request your Lordship to send my Letter to Mrs. Nelson by the Messenger, if he goes directly. TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS AT FIORENZO. [Autograph, in the Hood Papers.] Sir, Camp, August 6th, 1794. Four Transports are wanted from Fiorenzo to carry to France the Garrison of this place, which the General wishes to get rid of the instant we get possession of the Town. The Ships I have fixed upon as the most proper by the advice of Lieutenant Harrison, the Agent for Transports, are the Sovereign, Samuel and Jane, William, and Grand Bay, and I have sent such Seamen as are in health belonging to them, by the Fox. If they should not be sufficient to navigate them, some men may be ordered from the other Transports, or should Lieutenant Elliot's Division of Ships be at Fiorenzo, it would save much time to send them here, as they must be ready, from having so lately carried the refugees. It is necessary that these Ships should be well victualled and watered, for the Transports have no provisions on board, and to bring some provisions for these Ships-six in number, who are to carry 1250 men. I have wrote to the Lieutenant of the Agamemnon to send by the Fox the men belonging to the Matther, Nancy, Camilla, Mary, Mary (4), and Scarborough, and should the Agamemnon not be in a state to be navigated here, without some assistance, I trust you will have the goodness to order her some, as we are really distressed by her absence. I am, Sir, Your most obedient Servant, Sir, TO LIEUTENANT SAINTHILL, [From the "United Service Journal" for 1830, part i. p. 36.] August 5th, 1794. You will let me know, in the course of the day, how many people each Ship of your Division will carry without inconvenience, for a very short voyage: also, if you have water and provisions for the number of people your Ships will carry also let me know what men are on shore belonging to Ships of your Division, in case Agamemnon should not return before the Transports are wanted. I wish to see you with the Return; and let me know if there are any Transports here, except of yours and Lieutenant Caines' Division. I am, Sir, &c. HORATIO NELSON. Sir, TO LIEUTENANT SAINTHILL, AGENT FOR TRANSPORTS. [From the "United Service Journal," 1850, part i. p. 36.] Camp, August 7th, 1794. All the Transports under your direction to be moved directly to this Bay, and anchored under our Camp. I have directed all the Transports' men here to be sent to your assistance; but you will get your Ships as ready to weigh as possible before their arrival. I am, Sir, &c. HORATIO Nelson. JOURNAL. [From a Copy, in the Admiralty.] August 3rd.-A gale of wind all day. The Truce still continues. 4th, 5th, and 6th.-Gale continues: still a Truce. 7th.-Preparing Transports to carry the Garrison and Inhabitants to France. The Gale abated. 8th.-Fine weather. Victory and Ships in sight. HORATIO NELSON. TO ADMIRAL LORD HOOD. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. i. p. 187.] 6 8th August, 1794. I rejoice to see the Victory in sight again, and may now almost congratulate your Lordship on the final reduction of On this day Lord Hood communicated to Captain Nelson that, on the 30th |