for the Nation, without interruption. When we are to come Home, that I believe, is only known at present to the Admiralty; but I take it for granted it will not be before the spring of the year. It would be cruel to give us, stewed mortals, a winter's passage. I can tell you nothing about myself, only that on the 9th of October I shall most willingly leave English Harbour -to Nevis naturally, you will suppose, first; and then (if I am Commanding Officer) to every Island in these Seas. This is my present plan, but may be altered in the turn of a straw. News from this corner you will not expect. Rattler, Collingwood, is at Grenada; therefore, here have I been in this vile place without a creature near me. Your Warrant I have in my bureau. When Sir Richard Bickerton arrives, probably you will be discharged. Indeed I think it a chance if they pay you now, as you have not actually been on board. However, that we'll try when Boreas gets home. Pray what do you know or hear of Maurice? tell me. So Kate tells me she is to pass the winter with you: she will make Hilborough something pleasanter. Pray remember me kindly to your next door neighbours. I am sure you are very attentive to them. At Barbadoes, but the papers will tell you, they have had a little gale which drove some Ships on shore; but I have not heard of damage anywhere else. I have nothing to say, but that all on board desire to be kindly remembered, and Mr. Horsford often inquires after you. Adieu for a little, and believe me to be, Yours affectionately, HORATIO NELSON. TO WILLIAM LOCKER, ESQ., WEST MALLING. [Autograph, in the Locker Papers.] My dear Friend, Boreas, English Harbour, September 27th, 1786. It is an age since I had the pleasure of hearing from you; but I know my deserts, and you have every reason not to be plagued with so bad a correspondent; yet be assured, my good As Chaplain of the Boreas. 7 His eldest brother. friend, that my gratitude for the many favours I have constantly received, does not fail. No, it is fresh in my remembrance; but if you got my letter from Barbadoes in May last (I ought to be ashamed of the date) you will have some idea of my troubles, nor will they ever end, I plainly perceive, while I am in this Country; for it will always be the case, where Officers neglect their duty, there rogues thrive; and God knows there is not a Custom-House Officer, Governor, &c., that I have met with, who have done their duty; therefore the latter party is kept up, and my hands full of business. It is not more strange than true, that I was not only obliged to support myself against the most violent prosecutions that could be laid against an Officer; and instead of being supported by my Admiral, I was obliged to keep him up, for he was frightened at this business, which, although, I hope, completed now, he appeared ready, (I thought,) when he got Home, to receive any thanks which might be offered him for his alertness and attention to the navigation of Great Britain. God knows, I envy no man praises; but don't let him take what is due to others. Collingwood, I hope, has been down to see you; he will tell you a history. He seized a vessel at Barbadoes. When we are to expect Sir Richard Bickerton, or when Boreas goes Home, I am all in the dark. As it is not in the autumn, I hope they will have mercy enough not to give us a winter's passage. I am sorry to tell you a good deal of your quarter cask of wine is leaked out. I had the remainder fined and bottled. Captain Erasmus Gower has likewise been a sufferer. Myself a great one, and also Lord Hood. Indeed all casks under pipes have not stood the heat, nor then without being new hooped. I am sorry for the losses of my friends' wine ten times more than my own; but I am sure you know that every care was taken. I have laid in a good supply of rum, and you shall have any quantity you please. I think I have wrote lately to Kingsmill, but really I have been since June so very ill (till lately) that I have only a faint recollection of anything which I did. My complaint was in my breast, such a one as I had going The Successor of Sir Richard Hughes, in command of the Leeward Islands. out to Jamaica: the Doctor thought I was in a consumption, and gave me quite up; but that Great Being who has so often raised me from the sick bed, has once more restored me, and to that health which I very seldom enjoy. I beg, whenever you see Commissioner Kirke, that you will present my best respects to him: he has always been very kind and polite. I hope Mr. Bradley is quite recovered: those African voyages 9 do not seem to agree well with his constitution. He ought to get rich by them, but that, I fear, he does not. To every other part of that family pray remember me kindly, and to all other friends who may inquire after me, and believe me to be, with the most unfeigned regard, Your much obliged faithful humble Servant, HORATIO Nelson. TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Boreas, English Harbour, Sir, I beg leave to transmit you several letters, which Captain Wilfred Collingwood, of his Majesty's sloop Rattler, has sent me from the Island of Grenada. Their Lordships will perceive the difficulties which Mr. Byam1 has thrown in the way to hinder Captain Collingwood from performing his duty. Mr. Byam has thought proper to be guided by an Opinion which Dr. Scott sent out to this Country, although all good lawyers know it does not relate to the Navigation Act. It has been the means of much trouble to those Captains of the Navy who have endeavoured to suppress illegal Trade, for all those Lawyers make use of it, who mean to throw every obstacle in our way to prevent us from Both Mr. Henry and Mr. Richard Bradley were enterprising men, and speculated largely on the Coasts of America and Africa, where they obtained grants of land. Ashton Warner Byam, Esq., Attorney-General at Grenada, who was Knighted in October 1789. securing the Navigation to Great Britain to and from these Colonies. Mr. Byam, by demanding fees for advice, their Lordships well know, has thrown such an obstacle in our way, that very few Captains of Men-of-War can get over. Their Lordships will take some steps to obviate this difficulty. We cannot with propriety act without advice; nor have we ability to buy it. Had fees been demanded of me for the advice I have been necessitated to ask of the Crown Lawyers of the Leeward Islands, all my pay for the station would not have enabled me to ask it. Mr. Byam their Lordships will recollect in the case of the brig Abigail, which Sir Richard Hughes sent home last April. How different is this gentleman's conduct from Mr. Stanley, Mr. Burke, and Mr. Adye, the Crown Lawyers for the Leeward Islands. They are always ready to support and assist the Navy. This gentleman uniformly opposing them, and giving every countenance, I fear, to the admitting Foreign vessels to be registered in Grenada. This prosecution is forced, you will perceive, upon the Attorney-General; and I should not be surprised, although the fraud is so very clear, if he should be acquitted. And although it is a prosecution at the suit of the Crown, yet the Solicitor-General has thought proper to oppose the Crown, by taking part on the other side. It is presuming in me, and needless, I trust, to remark what zeal Captain Collingwood has shown upon this occasion, in attempting to entirely hinder Foreigners from trading to our Islands; and with what perspicuity and clearness he has pointed out to the Crown Officer, the defects which the Vessels he seizes lay under. His conduct upon former occasions has not, I am certain, escaped their Lordships' observation; and I am sure such assiduity, alertness, and ability to serve his Country, will not pass unnoticed. 2 * In a Letter from Mr. Burke to Captain Nelson, dated November 29th, 1786, he said, "I am very much obliged to you for the two Acts of Parliament; and I am much mistaken if the Gentlemen of the Navy are not obliged to you, for the final settlement of the very important question, concerning the right of Seizure, without any authority from the Customs."-Original, in the Nelson Papers. 3 Captain Wilfred Collingwood, of the Rattler. Sir Richard Hughes has formerly, I doubt not, done Captain Collingwood that justice his conduct so well entitles him to. I feel great pleasure in their Lordships having left such an Officer under my command. I have the honour to be, &c. HORATIO NELSON. TO PHILIP STEPHENS, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original, in the Admiralty.] Boreas, Nevis, 3rd November 1786. Sir, Herewith I transmit you the remainder of Captain Collingwood's Correspondence at the Island of Grenada. A total stop is put to our carrying on the Navigation Laws. The Custom-House Officers have the King's Chest to resort to; and if there is probable cause of Seizure, are allowed in their accounts the expense. As we have no such resort, their Lordships will consider this case, for it is out of our power to perform the duty imposed on us. The President of the Island of Grenada has stopped the proceedings by virtue of a clause in the New Act. Their Lordships will very soon find the ill effects of the Suspending Clause. Had the Governors, in the first instance, done their duty, in not granting Registers to Vessels who by Law were not entitled to them, the evil never could have arisen. I never expect to see any Vessels which are Registered in the Island condemned, if seized by the Navy. The interest of the Governors militates against it; and will Governors ever want a plausible tale to tell Ministers why they granted such and such Vessels Registers? No;-artful men will never want an artful story; and Oaths will not be wanting to confirm any tale. It would appear that the Suspending Clause has been got upon a fair American. I have the honour to remain, &c. HORATIO NElson. |