TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY. Sir, [Autograph, in the Admiralty.] Boreas, Downs, April 14th, 1784. I am to acquaint you, that this morning, I received information that sixteen of his Majesty's Subjects were detained by force, on board of a Dutch Indiaman, upon which I demanded and received them on board. The Master of the Ship has refused, notwithstanding all arguments that I could make use of, (by the Lieutenant,) to give up their chests, upon pretence they are in debt to [the] Ship, although most of them have been four or five months in the Dutch India Company's service. Having repeatedly refused to give up their clothes, I have ordered that no boats shall be permitted to go on board, or to leave the Ship; and have ordered the Nimble Cutter to put the above orders into execution. I must desire, as soon as possible, to have their Lordships' orders how to act upon this occasion. I am, Sir, &c. HORATIO NELSON. I beg you will also assure their Lordships that every politeness and attention has been shown to the Dutchman upon this occasion. I have sent to acquaint him that he will not be suffered to leave the Downs till this matter is settled. Sir, TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Autograph, in the Admiralty.] Boreas, Downs, April 14th, 7 P. M., 1784. I have the pleasure to acquaint you that all disputes with the Dutch East Indiaman are amicably settled, the Master having given up their clothes, bedding, &c. I am, Sir, &c. HORATIO NELSON. Sir, TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Autograph, in the Admiralty.] Boreas, Spithead, April 18th, 1784. I have the honour to acquaint you, that his Majesty's Ship under my command, arrived at this place yesterday, and enclosed is her State and Condition. Your answer to my last letter of the 14th, I received yesterday evening. I have therefore to suppose that my first of that day did not come to hand. I am Sir, &c. HORATIO NELSON. TO WILLIAM LOCKER, ESQ. [Autograph, in the Locker papers.] Portsmouth, April 21st, 1784. My dear Sir, The d Since I parted from you, I have encountered many disagreeable adventures. The day after I left you, we sailed at daylight, just after high water. The d-d Pilot-it makes me swear to think of it-ran the Ship aground, where she lay with so little water that the people could walk round her till next high water. That night and part of the next day, we lay below the Nore with a hard gale of wind and snow; Tuesday I got into the Downs: on Wednesday I got into a quarrel with a Dutch Indiaman who had Englishmen on board, which we settled, after some difficulty. The Dutchman has made a complaint against me; but the Admirality fortu nately have approved my conduct in the business, a thing they are not very guilty of where there is a likelihood of a scrape. And yesterday, to complete me, I was riding a blackguard horse that ran away with me at Common, carried me round all the Works into Portsmouth, by the London gates, through the Town out at the gate that leads to Common, where there was a waggon in the road,-which is so very narrow, that a horse could barely pass. To save my legs, and perhaps my life, I was obliged to throw myself from the horse, which I did with great agility: but unluckily upon hard stones, which has hurt my back and my leg, but done no other mischief. It was a thousand to one that I had not been killed. To crown all, a young girl was riding with me; her horse ran away with mine; but most fortunately a gallant young man seized her horse's bridle a moment before I dismounted, and saved her from the destruction which she could not have avoided. has taken posAt Maidstone old Members :7 Kingsmill came to Town on Sunday, and session of his Ship and Land Frigate again. 1 I see by the Papers, you have returned the how consistently Mr. Marsham has behaved to support Mr. Fox, and then thank the King for turning him out. There can be no good at the bottom, I am afraid. Lady Hughes is here, but I have not received my orders. Give my compliments to Madam Bradley, &c. and rest assured I am yours, most sincerely, HORATIO NELSON. Give my best compliments to George Smith: you can vouch for my intention to have visited him. Kingsmill desires his compliments. What inquiries you wish me to make about your land in Dominica, pray put upon paper. TO THE REVEREND MR. NELSON, BURNHAM. [Autograph, in the Nelson Papers.] Dear Brother, Boreas, Portsmouth, April 23rd, 1784. Come when you please, I shall be ready to receive you. Bring your canonicals and sermons. Do not bring any 6 Captain Kingsmill then commanded the Elizabeth 74, a guardship at Portsmouth. He was elected M.P. for Tregony. It does not appear what Nelson meant by "Land Frigate." Clement Taylor, Esq., and Gerard Noel Edwards, Esq. The Honourable Charles Marsham, (afterwards second Lord, and first Earl Romney,) who had taken an active part in the debates on the India Bill, was re-elected for the County of Kent. Burnham servants. I cannot say any more, being much hurried. Yours affectionately, HORATIO NELSON. In less than a fortnight my Ship will not sail. I have a fine talkative Lady for you to converse with. TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY. Sir, [Autograph, in the Admiralty.] Boreas, Spithead, April 29th, 1784. Be pleased to state to their Lordships, that William Bell, Gunner of his Majesty's Ship Medea, who has formerly sailed with me, and for whom I have an esteem, and Thomas Harries, at present Gunner of the Boreas, who is in a very bad state of health, are desirous of exchanging Ships; and I shall deem it a particular favour, if their Lordships will approve of the exchange, and to appoint them accordingly. Inclosed is their joint letter, and Sir, I am, &c. HORATIO NElson. TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Boreas, Spithead, May 10th, 1784. Their Lordships' orders of the 6th instant I have received; and as soon as the Ship's company are paid their advance, shall put their Orders in execution with all possible dispatch. I am, Sir, &c. HORATIO NELSON. Lady Hughes. TO WILLIAM LOCKER, ESQ. [Autograph, in the Locker Papers.-It seems to have been franked by Captain Kingsmill who wrote a few lines on it to Captain Locker: "Nelson's last, I imagine: he sailed to-day. He is a very good young man; and I wish him every enjoyment of life."] Boreas, Spithead, May 14th, 1784. My dear Friend, The Commissioner is now paying my Ship, and I am making use of the time that I may be able to save Post, as none goes out to-morrow. I was agreeably surprised by your letter, as I did not expect to hear you was in London. I thank you much for your news, which if true, hostilities must commence soon again with the French: God send, I say. But if Cornwallis is going out, I shall be a little vexed that I am not to be one of the Ships. Whenever I go to Dominica, you may be assured that every circumstance relative to your estate shall be inquired into. Jamaica is the place I wish to go to. I have not time scarcely to say, how much I am your devoted, HORATIO NELSON. I will write more by Sunday. WALKING THE BOREAS' QUARTER-DECK ON THE 30TH MAY 1784, AT 7 IN THE EVENING. [Autograph, in the Nelson Papers.-The great number of Passengers and Officers in the Boreas seems to have induced Captain Nelson to make the following List of them:] Lady Hughes Lieutenants Wallace 1 Dent 2 Jameson M.3 R. Mr. Nelson 4 9 Captain the Honourable William Cornwallis. 1 Lieutenant James Wallis, who was appointed by Nelson, Commander of the Rattler in May 1787, but was not confirmed until 1794. He was Posted in 1797, and died between 1806 and 1809. 2 Lieutenant Digby Dent, made a Com mander in 1797. James Jameson, Master of the Boreas. Afterwards Earl Nelson. |