during the late War, and if this young man is qualified, I humbly apprehend it can make no difference to the Service what pay he received. I have certified to the Passing Captains, and do now assure their Lordships that Mr. C. Lock was on board the Boreas during my whole command, three years and nine months, and did learn and perform the duties of Mate and Midshipman; and indeed, I cannot but help thinking that the Service would have suffered had I either rated these young men, or not taken more on board than the complement, viz. two Mates and four Midshipmen. I am, &c. HORATIO NELSON. TO MESSRS. WILKINSON AND HIGGINS, ANTIGUA. [Autograph draught, in the Nelson Papers.] Gentlemen, Burnham, 24th January 1789. Your letter of October, I received last night, and have sent the enclosed to Sir Charles Middleton this morning. I am most sincerely sorry for your situation, and hope that " On being placed on Half-pay, Captain Nelson intended to go to France with his wife, to acquire the French language; but they were persuaded by his father to reside with him at his Parsonage of Burnham Thorpe, where they remained until he was appointed to the Agamemnon, in January 1793. His Biographers say, He employed himself with considerable zeal while at Burnham, in culti vating his father's garden, and in learning to farm the adjacent glebe; but the former was his principal station: he would there often spend the greater part of the day, and dig, as it were, for the purpose of being wearied. At others, he would renew the early pastime of their childhood, and with a simplicity that was peculiar to him, when his mind was not employed on the great objects of profes sional duty, would spend some part of the day amidst the woods, in taking the eggs of different birds, which, as he obtained, he gave to Mrs. Nelson, who always accompanied him. He sometimes also employed his time, when his eyes would admit of it, in reading the periodical works of the day, but oftener in studying charts, and in writing, or drawing plans. But the uniformity of a vil lage life was occasionally diversified by professional calls to the Metropolis; by an annual visit, with Mrs. Nelson, to Lord Walpole, at Waterton; and by occasional visits to Mr. Coke, at Holkham.”—Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. i. pp. 109, 110. 5 Mr. Wilkinson stated to Captain Nelson that he "wrote that letter from the gaol of the Island of Antigua, into which he had been placed by a quirk of the Solicitor General's," and he complained bitterly of the manner in which that Officer had treated him, which he attributed to his discovery of Mr. Whitehead's Government will afford you every assistance, in bringing to maturity the good work begun under my auspices. But I would have you recollect, that although Government business may be slow, yet it is sure. I am assured the business will never be dropped; and that all proper rewards and recompenses will be made you. His Grace of Richmond, after a long silence, has at last assured me, that every proper measure shall be taken, and that you shall receive the reward you asked. All the other Boards will do you ample justice. I cannot but lament that your discovery should not have been made to a man of more consequence than myself; for in this Country I am not in Office, and am so much retired from the busy scenes of power, that although I have every inclination, I have not the ability of doing more than representing your situation, and which I have always done, expressing to all the Public Boards my belief of your ability and determination to lay all the Frauds open. Rest assured, I am your Friend, HORATIO NELSON. Sir, TO [Autograph draught, in the Nelson Papers.] Burnham, January 24th 1789 I received last night a letter from Mr. Wilkinson, Antigua, and as I suppose it was intended for your perusal by its being sent open, I hope you have done it, and have seen it contains only a melancholy statement of Mr. W.'s situation. I am sincerely sorry for his case, as I am sensible that the rigour which appears to be exercised against him in his private Frauds. That the Solicitor General favoured that person, and that Whitehead had acted fraudulently, is shown by "A Resolution of the Honourable House of Assembly in the Island of Antigua, on the 4th day of June 1788-That it he resolved that William Whitehead, surviving partner of Francis Colley, has been guilty of gross imposition on the Committee of both Houses of the Legislature appointed to examine the accounts of Francis Colley and Co., and of a flagrant attempt to defraud the Public of this Island. 4th June 1788. Ayes 15, Noes 2." The two Noes being Mr. Solicitor General and Archibald Gloster, Esq. In a Letter (now in the Nelson Papers) dated 27th December 1788. affairs is owing to his communication of Frauds, which I have but little doubt set the greater part of the mercantile people, who had to do with the Officers of Government against these Gentlemen. And to myself, I cannot but help feeling that I may have been in some measure accessory to these violent measures, by my open attention, and I may say protection, and promises of every encouragment which Government could afford them. As Merchants they were from the moment of discovery ruined. I am assured you will do what is right and proper for these Gentlemen, and am with great respect, Your most obedient Servant, HORATIO NELSON. TO MESSRS. WILKINSON AND HIGGINS, ANTIGUA. [Autograph draught, in the Nelson Papers.] Gentlemen, Burnham, February 1st, 1789. The following is an extract of a letter from Sir Charles Middleton, January 27th: It is intended to try the business at home, and which must be more satisfactory than doing it abroad. In this case, Mr. Wilkinson, &c. will have notice by summons: they are acquainted of this by the Navy-Board.' I can only wish that all may end to your satisfaction. You see I have taken all opportunities in letting you know the progress of your business, as soon as I was acquainted with it. Being your sincere well-wisher, HORATIO NELSON. I have never seen the Letter you mention having wrote the Navy Board, and which you say you wished me to read. 7 On the 30th May 1789, Captain Sir Charles Middleton informed Nelson that "the Navy Solicitor has received directions to send for Messrs. Wilkinson and Higgins home, to make good their charge and has wrote to them accordingly."-Original Note, in the Nelson Papers. TO WILLIAM LOCKER, ESQ., KENSINGTON. My dear Sir, [Autograph, in the Locker Papers.] Burnham, February 7th, 1789. I received your favour of the 3rd, last night: the Madeira I kept as a treat for some of my friends who are come here to see us, when behold, on examination, instead of Madeira, I found as good Port wine as ever was tasted. Your servant I take for granted, has mistaken the binn. Your news in respect to the Promotion, is great, but I can hardly believe they can make Admirals so far as Lord Longford; we shall be all Admirals! Pray thank Mr. Bradley for the Navy List he was so kind as to send me. Pray remember me to Charles Pole, I wish, if he likes it, he may get a Guardship at Plymouth. Mrs. Nelson joins in best regards to yourself and family, with your affectionate HORATIO NElson. Pray don't forget me to Kingsmill and all our friends. TO WILLIAM LOCKER, ESQ., KENSINGTON. My dear Sir, [Autograph, in the Locker Papers.] Burnham, September 10th, 1789. I was exceedingly happy to hear by your letter from Harrogate, that you was so much recovered, and by this time, I take for granted, you are settled again at home, and I most sincerely hope you will never be obliged again to travel in quest of health. When we may meet, time must determine; at present, I have no appearance of being called up to London. Not being a man of fortune is a crime which I cannot get over, and therefore none of the Great care about me. I am now commencing Farmer, not a very large one, you will No promotion took place until September 1790, and only ten Captains then obtained their Flags. In 1788 Lord Longford stood the 54th on the List of Post-Captains; and he died a Captain in June 1792. conceive, but enough for amusement. Shoot I cannot, therefore I have not taken out a license; but notwithstanding the neglect I have met with, I am happy, and now I see the propriety of not having built my hopes on such sandy foundations as the friendships of the Great. The newspapers tell me of fine frolics which both King and Prince of Wales have been making.9 Pray is Mr. Laforey1 to be promoted, or is there to be a promotion of Flags? Is there any idea of our being drawn into a quarrel by these commotions on the Continent? whenever that may be likely to happen, I will take care to make my application in time. I wish our friend Kingsmill would retract many of his generous expenses: it is his gifts which has drawn him into difficulties, that I have little doubt of, and not knowing the value of money. Pray, when you write or see him, remember me kindly to him. Mrs. Nelson desires me to present her best respects to you and family, and believe me, Your much obliged, and affectionate, 9 The Prince of Wales had just visited the North of England, and been en tertained by Earl Fitzwilliam at Wentworth House; but it does not appear what fine frolics" of the King, were alluded to. 1 Captain John Laforey. In 1779 this Officer, who commanded the Ocean in Admiral Keppel's Action, was appointed Commissioner of the Navy at Antigua, and in 1783, at Plymouth: he was passed over in the Promotion of Flag Officers in 1787 on the ground that having accepted a civil Office, he was ineligible for advancement in his profession. The question, which excited much interest in the Navy, was warmly discussed between the Admiralty and Captain Laforey, whose zealous conduct in support of Admiral Keppel at his trial rendered him, it was supposed, unacceptable to the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Earl of Chatham. His claims were, however, admitted, and he obtained his proper rank, as Rear-Admiral of the Red, on the 10th November 1789, having a few days before been made a Baronet. He attained the rank of Admiral of the Blue on June 1795, and, dying on his passage from the West Indies, the 14th of June 1796, was buried at Portsmouth.-Naval Chronicle, vol. xxv. p. 182. |