to be suspected of falseness if he is really well-intentioned, which, from my heart, I believe Dumourier was. Lady Hamilton desires me to say every kind thing for her. She is one that never forgets an old friend, and to be grateful, which is more than can be said of an old acquaintance of yours. With every good wish, believe me, my dear Sir Brooke, your most obliged friend, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO HERCULES ROSS, ESQ. [Autograph, in the possession of Horatio Ross, Esq.] My dear Friend, Merton, May 3rd, 1802. I should certainly have seen you long before this time, but for my own state of health, and the irreparable loss I have sustained in a beloved parent. I have seen Davison for a moment, and he will be happy to be known to you. He tells me Sir Alured Clarke has settled all the money concerns about your nephew; but he will explain this matter to you. when you meet. If your other avocations in the great Town will allow you time to drive to Merton, we shall be truly happy to see you. Lady Hamilton desires her compliments, and believe me, ever yours most truly, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO HERCULES ROSS, ESQ. [Autograph, in the possession of Horatio Ross, Esq.] My dear Friend, Merton, May 6th, 1802. We shall be very glad to see you and Dr. Moseley' on Monday. I am better, but still much indisposed, but ever your obliged friend, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO JOHN M'ARTHUR, ESQ. Merton, May 7th, 1802. My dear Sir, I am favoured with your letter and account. The Cornship, Madonna del Rosario, was taken by Agamemnon alone. I share with some other Captains, but no Ship. The other, * Vide vol. iv. p. 348. General, afterwards Field-Marshal, Sir Alured Clarke, K.B. commanded the Troops which captured the Cape of Good Hope. * Vide vol. i. p. 7. Captain Cockburn can tell you who shares for her; Agamemnon, Meleager, and, I believe, Southampton, and there may be others. Charges can be but little, as the money was paid nett, everything deducted. When I am a little better, I will meet you at Cockburn's. Suppose I say Wednesday next, at 10 o'clock in the morning, if that day will suit Cockburn. You had better write to Wolseley about the other. I believe I have some concern in it, but I am not certain. I am, dear Sir, yours most faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO SIR JOHN SINCLAIR, BART. [From the "Sinclair Correspondence," vol. i. p. 189.] Merton, May 13th, 1802. Sir, My state of health absolutely prevents my having the pleasure of dining with the Society for encouraging the Fisheries, for no purpose can be more truly patriotic, and deserving the attention of every friend of his Country. I had purposed yesterday doing myself the honour of calling upon you-but I was, to my sorrow, prevented—as I wish much to be personally known to a gentleman of your great and useful knowledge, and who so candidly carries it into effect for the benefit of his Country. I have the honour to be, Sir, with the highest respect, your most obliged and obedient servant, NELSON AND Bronte. TO CAPTAIN SUTTON, H.M. SHIP AMAZON. [Autograph, in the possession of Captain Ives Sutton.] Merton, May 29th, 1802. My dear Sutton, As I know your wish to get clear of the Amazon as soon as you can, I have asked Captain Shepard, of the Phoebe, to take Charles Connor with him up the Mediterranean, not the other.' We shall never forget your kindness, and I shall repay your pecuniary goodness with many thanks. Hoping very soon to see you at Merton, I am ever, my dear Sutton, your obliged friend, NELSON AND BRONTE. • Captain, afterwards Admiral William Wolseley, Vide vol. i. p. 350, et passim, • Mr. Banti, TO CAPTAIN SIR EDWARD BERRY. [From a Copy in the Nelson Papers.] My dear Sir Edward, Merton, June 8th, 1802. I sent your Case' to a friend of mine, Doctor Fisher, of the Commons, and send you his Opinion; therefore I suppose you will direct your Agent to set about the needful. My evidence can be taken, as it is the most proper, with all the circumstances from first to last. All here join in good wishes for your health, and believe me ever, yours most faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO JOHN M'ARTHUR, ESQ. [Autograph, in the possession of Mrs. Conway.] My dear Sir, Merton, June 11th, 1802. Captain Middleton and Cockburn share with me for the Corn-ship. I know nothing of the two Ships sharing, (unless in sight.) The Tartan sold by Pollard, I suppose was shared. Cockburn knows more of these things than I can recollect at this moment. Ever yours faithfully, NELSON AND Bronte. TO MRS. BOLTON. [Autograph in the possession of James Young, Esq., of Wells.] My dear Sister, Merton, June 11th, 1802. Here is £100, which I shall pay you on the 11th June, for three years, towards the education of your children; by that time, other things may turn up, and this is a trifle in case you may [want] any little thing going through London. All I desire is, that you would not say or write me a syllable on the subject, for I am sorry I cannot do more, being truly your most affectionate brother, NELSON AND BRONTE. 1 Relating to Prize money. TO. . . . [Autograph in the possession of J. Wilde, Esq.] June 16th, 1802. With Lord Nelson's compliments, and shall always be happy in rendering any assistance in his power, to so worthy a family. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [Autograph in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, Bart., G.C.B.] Merton, June 16th, 1802. My dear Lord, My young friend Collier would go to the Devil for promotion (or he would not be acknowledged by me): therefore, if you think there is a better chance in the West Indies, and will have the goodness to give him a letter to Admiral Totty, he will jump into a Packet, and carry it out to Totty, and take the chance of losing a month's time. But if you think it better to go to that healthy station, Halifax, he will join Leander this night. Collier is a good young man, and will do credit to your kindness towards him. I am ever, my dear Lord, yours most faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN SUTTON, H.M. SHIP AMAZON. [Autograph in the possession of Captain Ives Sutton.] Merton, June 18th, 1802. My dear Sutton, I am so totally ignorant of what is going on at the Admiralty, that I cannot say why Amazon is kept in the Downs, or why, if you choose it, you should not be superseded; but I suppose no Captain would wish to take your Ship merely to pay her off. Lady Hamilton and myself cannot thank you enough about C. Connor, and Captain Shepard will take him when his Ship is nearly ready for sea, or the Amazon re 2 The present Commodore Sir Francis Augustus Collier, C.B., K.C.H.: he was made a Lieutenant in April 1803. moved from her present station. I shall accept your kind offer of fitting Charles out. Mr. Banti must return home when you are removed. His family are going to Italy. I need not say how happy we shall be to receive you at Merton, for I am ever your much obliged, NELSON AND Bronte. Sir William and Lady Hamilton's compliments. TO LADY COLLIER. [Autograph, in the possession of Commodore Sir Francis Augustus Collier, K.C.H.] Dear Madam, Merton, June 18th, 1802. I send you a letter to Admiral Totty. I shall write to Duckworth on Monday. I am more sure of Totty, if the Admiralty will give him an opportunity. I assure you I regard your son for his own worth, and I am certain he will ever do credit to himself, which is the most grateful return to his sincere friend, NELSON AND Bronte. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD MAYOR. My Lord, [From a Copy in the Nelson Papers.] Merton, June 21st, 1802. A few days past, I saw in the Newspapers that a Motion had been made in a Court of Common Council, to thank me for my conduct in taking the command of a Force destined to prevent any designs our Enemies might have of approaching the City of London, but which Motion stands over for some future Court. I have therefore to entreat that your Lordship will use your influence that no such Motion may be brought forward. There is not, my Lord, one individual in the world who appreciates the honour of having their conduct approved by the City of London, higher than myself. I was desired to take the Command in question in a very indifferent state of health, as I was flattered with the opinion that it would keep |