TO THE KING'S ATTORNEY, AND ADVOCATE-GENERALS AT BARBADOES. [From a Copy in the Admiralty.] Boreas, Barbadoes, April 6th, 1786. Sir, Having a Brig on the 15th of last month, as forfeited to the use of his Majesty, which I hear this day the Judge has refused to try unless I will seize her for myself as well as the King, therefore I think it right for me to acquaint you that the vessel was seized by me for the use of the King. You will, Sir, by your Office make such application to his Excellency the Governor, as you think fit, in order that the vessel may be tried, and his Majesty not lose his rights, through wilful neglect of any person. I am, Sir, &c. HORATIO NELSON. some Engineers for that purpose, which information proved correct. Captain Nelson immediately determined to attend her, and prevent their intentions: therefore he immediately got under weigh and pursued her. On the next day we found her at anchor in the Road of St. Eustatia and the Boreas was anchored at about two cables' length on the French frigate's quarter. After a reciprocity of civilities, salutes, &c., had passed on all sides, Captain Nelson with his Officers were invited to meet the French Officers at dinner next day at the Dutch Governor's, which was accepted; and it was at this dinner that Captain Nelson made known his intentions to the Captain of the French Frigate. He said that understanding he intended visiting the English Islands, he thought it his duty to accompany him in the English Frigate, that attention may be paid to the Officers of his Most Christian Majesty, which he was sure every Englishman in the Islands would be proud of an opportunity of doing. This declaration did not appear palatable to the French Generals, and was politely refused by them as well as by the Captain of the French frigate, saying that their intention was only to take a cruize round the Islands, without stopping at any. However, Captain Nelson was determined not to be out-done in civility, and strictly adhered to his purpose. The Frenchman perceiving the English Commander's drift, in a few days abandoned his project, got under weigh, and beat up to Martinique. Captain Nelson availed himself of the same opportunity, and beat up to Barbadoes, by which he never lost sight of the French frigate until she got into Martinique, where she came from." Charles Brandford, Esq. TO MRS NISBET. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. i. p. 84.] My dearest Fanny, Boreas, Carlisle Bay, April 17, 1786. My I have been looking out anxiously for some time past, for the Adamant and Berbice, making sure of the pleasure of receiving a letter-but it is not to happen: therefore I must write what I know, and not answers to what you send. letters from my sister and brother are very kind; and, from the former, filled with every sentiment of affection for you. I am involved in Law: and although everything will go as I wish it, yet I fear it will keep me this fortnight. I shall wish the Vessels at the devil, and the whole Continent of America to boot. Lord Hood has the command at Portsmouth. I had a letter from him by the Packet. I am all anxiety to hear and know what I have to hope for from Leeward. April 23rd. All the Squadron are now here holding Court-Martials, which will finish to-morrow, when they return to their respective Stations, except poor me, who am kept to take care of two Yankees; I wish they were a hundred fathoms under water: and when I am likely to be released, I have not the smallest idea. . . . On Tuesday or Wednesday the Adamant sails for Antigua with Sir Richard-so much for the Flag-ship; I should be sorry to have one: a Captain in her is never his own master. I am so much out of temper with this Island, that I would rather sacrifice anything than stay. I have been upon the best terms with the Admiral, and I declare I think I could ever remain so. He is always remarkably kind and civil to every one: I told him that no one could think otherwise but you, and I hoped you would be angry with him for keeping me away so very long. Whenever I can settle about my prizes here, I shall sail directly for Nevis. How is my little Josiah ?-I sent yesterday, the moment the Admiral told me the Schooner was going to Nevis, for nobody but myself knew it, as polite a note as I was able to The servant brought word back, there was no an swer; not even 'much obliged,' 'thank you,' or any other word but what I have told you: I may be uncivilly treated once, and then it is my misfortune: but if I put it in any person's power to be so a second time, it's my fault.-Farewell for a little time; and bless you, with all my heart and soul; and do believe, and never doubt, but that I am, with the most sincere affection, ever your HORATIO NELSON. TO MRS. NISBET. [From Clarke and M'Arthur's Life of Nelson, vol. i. p. 84.] My dearest Fanny, Never, never, do I believe, shall I get away from this detestable spot. Had I not seized any Americans, I should now have been with you: but I should have neglected my duty, which I think your regard for me is too great, for you to have wished me to have done. Duty is the great business of a Seaofficer. All private considerations must give way to it, however painful it is. But I trust that time will not have lessened me in the opinion of her, whom it shall be the business of my future life to make happy. Bless you, bless you. Ever, with the greatest affection, your HORATIO NELSON. TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY. Gentlemen, [Original, in the East India House.] Boreas, Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes, May 5th, 1786. A circumstance which has happened at these Islands, I think is of very material consequence to your China Trade, &c., therefore I take the earliest opportunity of acquainting you of it. Many persons have known of this event before it reached me, and I hope they have transmitted accounts of it to you; but, for fear they should not, I have taken the liberty of doing it. 8 A Mr. William Robinson of London bought, about two years ago, a twenty-gun Ship, (which was sold by [the] Navy Board,) called the Hydra. This Ship he fitted out in the Thames, loaded her with a cargo of goods, and cleared her at the Custom-house, London, for New York. A Mr. Green, late Secretary to Admiral Arbuthnot, is Supercargo of her. Instead of proceeding to New York, she has been trading upon the Coromandel Coast, at Bengal, and at China, under American Colours and Papers, and after a successful voyage arrived at St. Eustatia, the latter end of March, where she is dispersing her cargo of tea, saltpetre, &c., &c., over the British West Indies. A Mr. Hamilton of Nevis, I hear, has purchased upwards of one hundred tons of saltpetre out of her. I understand she intends returning to London, and to play the same double game over again; to prevent which I transmit you this account, and that you may take such measures as you think proper to prevent these iniquitous practices in future. I can only lament that the King's Ship under my command was removed from the Station at St. Christopher's and Nevis, on the last of February to this Island, or let me assure you that I should have thought it my indispensable duty to have gone to St. Eustatia, and demanded the Ship and cargo, which I hope to have been able to prevail upon the Dutch to have given up, when I should have sent her to your House, to be dealt with according to Law. I have the honour to remain, Gentlemen, &c. HORATIO NELSON. TO THE REVEREND MR. NELSON, HILBOROUGH. [Autograph, in the Nelson Papers.] My dear Brother, Boreas, Barbadoes, May 5th, 1786. Your letters of January and February are yet unanswered, nor is it through any fault of mine; but I have been so much taken up here in a little business concerning Yankees. Everybody is against me, therefore I have a very unpleasant time, you will believe. But why should I carry my troubles across the Atlantic? I will have done. I have been here nearly three months, nor do I know when I shall be released. Kelly was married the 23rd of March, and he expects to sail for England next month. Whether we go or not this year, is quite uncertain. I am inclined to think we shall stay another year, but Lord Howe is so close, nothing is to be got out of him. Sir Richard wishes to remain another Station, perhaps more so, now Lady Hughes is gone home. She was to sail from English Harbour in the Unicorn, which has gone, I dare say, before this date. Mrs. Browne goes with her, and carries a young Major. You will hear of them, I dare say, before you are long in England. We are as dead as to news, as you can possibly conceive, and telling only about ourselves is dull indeed. Mr. Wallis was left at Nevis, unwell, but he has been so long there, that I am told he has got quite fat. Old Jammy Jameson,9 was down in the Berbice for the benefit of the Nevis hot-baths, as he had the rheumatism very bad. All else are well. Sandys went home a passenger in the Unicorn. I told you, I think, before, Captain Berkeley had the Latona, and Gregory 2 the Falcon. As to myself, I am well, and notwithstanding all my struggles in this country with bad people, I am perfectly at ease, so far, as I am conscious of the rectitude and uprightness of my conduct; and it is my not allowing them to continue inimical to the Commerce of Great Britain that has drawn down the displeasure of all the folks upon me. One sends me a challenge; another Laws me: but I keep them all off, nor 1 6 Captain William Hancock Kelly, third son of Arthur Kelly, Esq., of Kelly in Devonshire. He was made a Post-Captain, 8th August 1783, married Sally, daughter of Magnus Morton, Esq., a Judge in Nevis, and died a Vice-Admiral of the Blue in May 1811.-Burke's Dictionary of the Landed Gentry, Ed. 1844, p. 667. Mrs. Kelly was a first cousin of Viscountess Nelson, their mothers having been sisters of John Richardson Herbert, Esq., President of Nevis. 7 First Lord of the Admiralty. First Lieutenant of the Boreas. Master of the Boreas. 1 Captain the Honourable George Cranfield Berkeley, who was made a PostCaptain in 1780, and died an Admiral and G.C.B., in 1818. 2 George Gregory, who was posted on the 22nd November 1790: he commanded the Veteran in the Battle of Camperdown, and became a Flag Officer in 1810. |