compact an order as we ought, and the Lord does not spare signals.1 18th. On the 16th, in the afternoon, we made Cape Sicie, two leagues from Toulon, and saw three Sail to leeward; the Leda and Illustrious were sent in chase. Between nine and ten at night, a firing of half-an-hour was heard from them ; when, I believe, every person in the Fleet expected to have seen some of the Enemy's Ships brought in. It was the 17th at noon, before they joined us, with a Corvettes which Leda took that morning. The Ships they fired at the night before were three French frigates, who, after giving and receiving fire, got away from them. The account we have hitherto heard, has only been from a disappointed Flag-ship. I pretend not to give an opinion: the following circumstances are allowed to be facts; viz. that our Ships outsailed them, by getting alongside near enough to have men killed in each Ship (the Master of the Illustrious one of them). It was a bright moon till twelve o'clock, and very little wind all night.7 We have not yet looked into Toulon, but are now, six P. M. 18th, only four leagues off. The Lord told us some days ago, that a Frigate was going to Genoa and Leghorn, by which conveyance I intended to have sent your Royal Highness this account of our proceedings. I conceive that every movement of this Fleet you will like to know. As I have before observed, those in the Fleet who are more able to write than myself, may possibly tell you these circumstances, and in a manner more concise for your Royal Highness' perusal. Mine is little else but a Journal, which I shall be glad if you approve of receiving. On the 19th, the Fleet stood close into Toulon, and sent in a Flag of Truce, which has given us information that the French have sixteen Sail of the Line in the outer road of Toulon, and five Sail fitting in the harbour. I think they will This passage is omitted.-Ibid. L'Eclair of 22 guns. 6 The Illustrious 74, Captain Thomas Lennox Frederick, afterwards an Admiral. 7 This Affair does not appear to be noticed by any of our Naval Historians. "It is an universal concern that they were not brought in, not that either party is absolutely blamed."-Clarke & M'Arthur, p. 128. 9 "To propose an exchange of prisoners."-Ibid. The next paragraph, "which has given us information," &c., does not occur.—Ibid. soon be so tired, and angry at being blocked up, that they will come out. We have experienced for three days1 lately a very heavy gale of wind. We are much alarmed for the Berwick, who, by her signals, was in great distress, and bore away before the wind: a Frigate, (Tyler,) was sent after her, but could not get to her.3 Leda lost her mainmast and otherwise damaged, and got to Leghorn. [On the 25th of July the Flag of Truce joined from Toulon; the Enemy did not give us a clear answer whether they would exchange prisoners with us. They have seventeen Sail of the Line ready for sea and four fitting, the Commerce de Marseilles one of them: she carries 136 guns, having guns on her gangways: the prisoners believe her sides are so thick that our shot will not go through them; and that she can with ease take the Victory. We form various conjectures whether they will come out or not; in my opinion they will: when they have twenty-one Sail ready and we under twenty, the people will force them out.] To this, 3rd of August, we have not heard of the Berwick. A Convoy was expected from Tunis of twenty-five Sail, with two Sail of the Line, three Frigates, and two Corvettes ; but I make no doubt they have information of our being on the Coast, and will unload their Merchant-ships, and secure the Men-of-War, as they have done at Genoa and Leghorn. [August 5th.-From the 26th we have been lying off Toulon. Yesterday an express came from Captain Inglefield, that he had been insulted by two French Frigates in Genoa Mole who hauled alongside of him, entangled their yards, and in every way insulted him. The Alcide and two Frigates immediately sailed to liberate him.] [August 8th. We are steering to the Eastward, going to show ourselves off Nice, fifteen Sail of the Line: Fleet healthy.] We are in daily expectation of seeing his Royal Highness "Until the 23rd.”—Ibid. 2 The Meleager. 3"But unfortunately missed her in a heavy squall. Leda sprung her main and fore-masts, carried away ber main-yard, and went for Legborn, attended by the Romney." The paragraphs within brackets are inserted from Clarke and M'Arthur. This and the next paragraph are omitted in Clarke and M'Arthur. Prince Augustus in the Fleet, and shall then hope for an opportunity of sending this account. August 4th.-Admiral Cosby' has just sent me word that his Royal Highness will not be many hours in the Fleet, and that he is to go to England in the Aquilon: therefore I send this letter on board him, as I may be detached from the Fleet on the look out. Believe me, Your Royal Highness's Most attached and faithful Servant, HORATIO NELSON. TO MRS. NELSON. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. i. p. 129.] Gulf of Lyons, July 15th, 1793. There seem to be no French Ships at sea, at least we have seen nothing like one. We fell in with the Spanish Fleet a week ago, returning into Port, I believe glad we are arrived; and they mean to leave us the honour of keeping the French in order. I really expect never to see them again. Lord Hood is tolerably good friends with me. 18th. We have just got a French Sloop-of-War of 18 guns, bound from Marseilles to Toulon.9 Remember me most kindly to our good father. I am, &c., HORATIO NELSON. 6 Created Duke of Sussex, in 1801. 7 Vice-Admiral of the Blue, Phipps Cosby, in the Windsor Castle; and third in command of the Fleet: he died an Admiral of the Red in January 1808. Captain now Admiral, the Honourable Sir Robert Stopford, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., Rear-Admiral of England, and Governor of Greenwich Hospital. This capture is not noticed in the Printed List of Vessels taken during the War, nor in the London Gazette. TO MRS. NELSON. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. i. p. 129.] August 4th, off Toulon. The Admiral has just sent us word, that the Aquilon will proceed to England with Prince Augustus, I therefore send this letter on board, in case Agamemnon should be on the look out; for as we sail fast we are always employed. Whether the French intend to come out seems uncertain: they have a force equal to us. Our Jacks would be very happy to see it; and, as our Fleet is in the fullest health, I dare say we should give a good account of them. I hardly think the War can last; for what are we at War about? How I long to have a letter from you: next to being with you, it is the greatest pleasure I can receive. The being united to such a good woman, I look back to as to the happiest period of my life; and as I cannot here show my affection to you, I do it doubly to Josiah, who deserves it, as well on his own account as on yours, for he is a real good boy, and most affectionately loves me. Captains Lutwidge1 and Mann have been very ill. Lord Hood has sent to offer me a Seventy-four, but I have declined it; as the Admiralty chose to put me into a Sixtyfour, there I stay. I cannot give up my Officers. Lord Hood approved of my reasons; so far well. If I have not an opportunity of writing to my good Father, send my kindest remembrances to him. God bless you, and believe me, Your most affectionate husband, HORATIO NELSON. Afterwards Admiral Lutwidge, who is so often mentioned: he then commanded the Terrible, of 74 guns. 2 Captain Robert Mann, of the Bedford, who will be again noticed. He died an Admiral of the Red, in September 1813. Sir, TO H. R. H. THE DUKE OF CLARENCE. [Autograph draught, in the Nelson Papers.] Agamemnon, off Toulon, August 5th, 1793. I had wrote your Royal Highness two letters of our proceedings since the Fleet left Gibraltar, but having lost the opportunity of sending them when our different Ships went for Leghorn, I shall now only inclose you a kind of Journal of our proceedings which (if not received from others in the Fleet) you may wish to know. I am sure your Royal Highness will believe that if any communication from me can be satisfactory, that I have the greatest pleasure in ever anticipating your wishes. Lord Hood has given us notice that his Royal Highness Prince Augustus is expected in the Fleet and I hear Aquilon is to carry him to England, by which Ship I intend to send this letter. I remain, Your Royal Highness's most attached, Sir, TO CHARLES LONG,3 ESQ., JOINT SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY. [Autograph draught, in the Nelson Papers.] Agamemnon, off Toulon, August 7th, 1793. Your letter, dated April 20th, of which I enclose a copy, I did not receive till my arrival at Gibraltar: therefore it has been totally out of my power to take any steps to receive the prize-money due to the Ship's company under my command, nor is it possible that every poor seaman can go to Nevis, to receive his money from the Collector of the Customs. They look up to their Captain as their friend and protector, and it was my intention, if the money was paid me, to adver 3 Afterwards Lord Farnborough, G.C.B. * Vide p. 303, ante. |