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Letters and
Dispatches of Horatio Nelson
October 5th through
7th, 1805
TO LORD BARHAM, FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii p. 431.]
5th October, 1805.
My dear Lord,
The French and Spanish Ships have taken the Troops on board,
which had been landed on their arrival, and it is said that they mean to sail
the first fresh Levant wind; and as the Carthagena Ships are ready, and when
seen a few days ago, had their topsail-yards hoisted up, it looks like a
junction. The position I have taken for this month is from sixteen to eighteen
leagues West of Cadiz; for although it is most desirable that the Fleet should
be well up in the Easterly winds, yet I must guard against being caught with a
Westerly wind near Cadiz, as a Fleet of Ships with so many Three-deckers would
inevitably be forced into the Straits, and then Cadiz would be perfectly free
for the Enemy to come out with a Westerly wind, as they served Lord Keith in
the late War. I am most anxious for the arrival of Frigates; less than eight,
with the Brigs, &c. as we settled, I find are absolutely inadequate for
this service, and to be with the Fleet, and Capes Spartel, Cantin, or Blanco,
and the Salvages, must be watched by fast-sailing Vessels, in case any Squadron
should escape. I have been obliged to send six Sail of the Line to water and
get stores at Tetuan and Gibraltar, for if I did not begin, I should be very
soon obliged to take the whole Fleet into the Straits. I have twenty-three Sail
with me, and should they come out I shall immediately bring them to Battle. But
although I should not doubt of spoiling any voyage they may attempt, yet I hope
for the arrival of the Ships from England, that as an Enemy's Fleet they may be
annihilated. Your Lordship may rely upon every exertion.
I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 431.]
5th October, 1805.
I have only two Frigates to watch them, and not one with
the Fleet. I am most exceedingly anxious for more eyes, and hope the Admiralty
are hastening them to me. The last Fleet was lost to me for want of Frigates;
God forbid this should.
I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO CAPTAIN BLACKWOOD.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 431.]
5th October, 1805.
Perhaps with an Easterly wind you could anchor a Frigate
between Cadiz and the Pedro shoals, taking care that she did not anchor until
two hours after dark, and that she weighed two hours before day.
I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 432.]
[About the 5th October, 1805.]
I am sorry ever to trouble their Lordships with anything
like a complaint of a want of Frigates and Sloops; but if the different
services require them, and I have them not, those services must be neglected to
be performed. I am taking all Frigates about me I possibly can, for if I were
an Angel, and attending to all the other points of my Command, let the Enemy
escape for want of the eyes of the Fleet, I should consider myself as most
highly reprehensible. Never less than eight Frigates, and three good
fast-sailing, Brigs, should always be with the Fleet to watch Cadiz; end to
carry transports in and out to refit it, would take at least ten and four
Brigs, to do that service well. At present I have only been able to collect
two, which makes me very uneasy.
I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Elon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
Victory, October 5th, 1805.
My dear Coll.,
Britannia, Temeraire, Achille, Bellerophon, Polyphemus, and
Donegal are the next Ships for Gibraltar and Tetuan. The first I shall strip of
her water, but I must have an Admiral with the Squadron: therefore dispose of
the water in the Ships of your Division as you please. I intend one for each
Division. Anything else she may have, dispose of it as to you seems best. They
have not joined, and I may be premature in my wishes about them. I will lay-to,
but make one of your Ships take the Transport in tow, and send Officers and men
to clear her; and these fine nights they can work as well as the day. Louis
will be a good look-out Squadron for us whilst this Easterly wind lasts, and I
have sent Pickle to Blackwood off Cadiz, until I get more Frigates. I send you
the last papers.
Ever yours faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
October 5th, 1805.
My dear Coll.,
I send you my first letter, as it mentions the Ships going
to Gibraltar, but there seems wine enough and more than enough for the whole
Fleet; and as the Transports have stores in, which you sent for, do you call
the Ships about you, and make the arrangements. If it comes on to blow fresh I
shall make the signal for Boats to repair on board, when the Transports must
keep to windward. I shall lay to patiently.
Ever yours faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
October 5th, 1805.
My dear Coll.,
Don't load the Ships with more wine than they can
conveniently stow; let it stay in the Transport: so I have ordered Calder. Ajax
shall go up to windward and look out, and send the three Ships down. Yours
faithfully,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the Nelson papers.]
Victory, 1 p.m., October 5th, 1805.
My dear Coll.,
The Ajax must go and take Colossus's place to windward. The
Mars' and Defence's wine must be given to the other Ships, or they may come
down at last and take the remainder out of the Transports. If you do not want
Ajax to take wine, hoist the Assent flag and the Victory's pendants, and I will
make her signal to close and order Captain Browne to windward. I see Ships are
wanted everywhere, but the watching of the Fleet in Cadiz is my first object.
Ever yours faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO THE DEY OF ALGIERS.
[From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 428.]
[About the 5th October' 1805.]
I think your Highness will be glad to hear of my return to
the command of His Majesty's Fleets in the Mediterranean: and I rely that
nothing will ever be permitted to happen which can interrupt the most perfect
harmony and good understanding which exists between your Highness and the
Regency, and the British Nation. I am confident that your Highness will give
orders for the most friendly reception of British Ships in all the Ports in
your Dominions, and that they shall be furnished, for their money, with every
article they may want to purchase. I shall be very anxious for the return of
the Frigate, that I may know the state of your Highness's health; and I beg
that your Highness will be assured of the most high esteem of
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 5th October, 1805.
Sir,
Captain Morris of His Majesty's Ship Colossus having
communicated to me the particular loss he would sustain in his present First
Lieutenant becoming junior, in consequence of their Lordships having appointed
Lieutenant George Moubray, who from his rank is senior to him; you will please
to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that, from a most thorough
knowledge of the justness of Captain Morris' statement, and the very great good
derived to His Majesty's Service from Captains being allowed confidential
Officers as their First Lieutenants, and their Lordships having removed several
Lieutenants of the Colossus that the present might continue First, I have,
conceiving it to be their Lordships' wish, suffered the said First Lieutenant
to remain in that situation, and appointed Lieutenant George Moubray to the
Polyphemus, in consequence of Lieutenant Alexander Gordon of that Ship having
been yesterday invalided, and found unfit for His Majesty's Service in this
Country, as appears by a copy of the Report of Survey herewith transmitted,
which I trust, for the reasons before mentioned, their Lordships will be
pleased to approve. Lieutenant Gordon was First of the Polyphemus, and
therefore Lieutenant Moubray will still be Senior. I am, &c.,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO THE RIGHT HON. GEORGE ROSE.
[ "Autograph in the possession of the Right Hon. Sir George
Rose, G.C.B ]
Victory, 16 leagues West from Cadiz, October 6th, 1805.
My dear Mr. Rose,
Your two letters of September 17th [have arrived], and I
feel much obliged by your kind intentions for my dear Mr. Bolton, and I think
Mr. Pitt will do what he can to oblige me. I verily believe the Country will
soon be put to some expense for my account, either a Monument, or a new Pension
and Honours; for I have not the very smallest doubt but that a very few days,
almost hours, will put us in Battle; the success no man can ensure, but the
fighting them, if they are to be got at, I pledge myself, and if the force
arrives which is intended. I am very, very, very anxious for its arrival, for
the thing will be clone if a few more days elapse; and I want for the sake of
our Country that it should be done so effectually as to have nothing to wish
for; and what will signify the force the day after the Battle ? it is, as Mr.
Pitt knows, annihilation that the Country wants, and not merely a splendid
Victory of twenty-three to thirty-six,—honourable to the parties
concerned, but absolutely useless in the extended scale to bring Buonaparte to
his marrow-bones: numbers can only annihilate. I think, not for myself, but the
Country, therefore I hope the Admiralty will send the fixt force as soon as
possible, and Frigates, and Sloops of War, for I am very destitute. I do not
mean this as any complaint, quite the contrary; I believe they are doing all
they can, if interest does not interfere; therefore, if Mr. Pitt would hint to
Lord Barham, that he shall be anxious until I get the force proposed, and
plenty of Frigates and Sloops in order to watch them closely, it may be
advantageous to the Country: you are at liberty to mention this to Mr. Pitt,
but I would not wish it to go farther. I am ever, my dear Mr. Rose,
Your most obliged and faithful friend,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
The Treasury should order me to land the money, 150,000
dollars in Spanish, in the Mediterranean. I mentioned it to Mr. Pitt, but I am
ordered to land it in England, and the Ships are here.
TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD. [4]
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
Victory, October 6th, 1805.
My dear Coll.,
I send you Blackwood's letters, and some for the Admiralty
for you to read. How I long for the Frigates! but Admiral Louis will be a good
look out for the next twenty four hours. Mars and Defence shall come down when
we are likely to finish with these Transports; and with this swell, I think we
had better, at half-past four or five o'clock, make the signal for all Boats to
repair on board, and to keep the wind under three topsails and foresail for the
night, and direct the Ships with the Transports in tow, to keep to windward
this clear night. We need not mind the Order of Sailing, even if we want to
wear in the night. I shall be glad to hear that your Division have made great
progress. Should the swell get up before the evening, telegraph me, and the
Boats shall be hoisted in, and we will make sail. If I can, the Bittern shall
go to-day, but certainly to-morrow.
Ever yours faithfully, NELSON AND BRONTE.
I send you a key: keep it. I shall send you dispatches,
&c., occasionally to read, and it will save the trouble of packets. Put
your letter in it, and send it back with my letters when read.
TO JAMES GAMBIER, ESQ., CONSUL AT LISBON.
[Autograph in the possession of Captain Gambier, R.N.]
Victory, October 7th, 1805.
Sir,
I have only an instant to acknowledge the favour of your
letter, which I will answer when more at leisure. Seamen will be most desirable
for the Fleet, and if Captain Lobb would go, or send and get the men from the
Northern parts of Portugal, he would render a most essential service; and if
they are to be had, and the Bittern could get soon there, and be sure of the
men when he arrives, it would be most desirable: but I fear they would know
they would not go to England in her, therefore one of the Lisbon Squadron would
more completely do the service. Chests of lemons will be most acceptable for
the Fleet. I shall desire Captain Louis to load the Bittern.
I am, with great respect, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
I shall write you by way of Faro. Will you have the
goodness to make my apology to Mr. Hunter for not writing to him by this
opportunity, and also, if you see him, my friend Admiral Donald Campbell of the
Portuguese Service.
TO VICE. ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD.
[Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham
Collingwood.]
Victory, October 7th, 1805.
My dear Coll.,
I was just sat down to dinner when your packet and letter
arrived. Distribute what is wanted amongst the Ships, and what you destine for
the Starboard Division send me, or Calder word, and the orders shall be
delivered. Wine or any part of the salt provisions not wanted, shall go to
Gibraltar, and be taken into store. You have done right. Twenty-six Sail of the
Line was not to be left to chance, and if you had, for want of such precaution,
been forced to quit the vicinity of Cadiz, England would not have forgiven you.
The weather I think will be fine and smooth to-morrow: if
not, the coppered Transports sail better than the Fleet. Defence I have told to
keep to windward, and to take his wine when the water gets smooth. Naiad made
the signal for bullocks: you are to give them to the Ships longest out. I have
not yet read your packet, therefore I can say nothing about Mr. Gambier. Ever,
my dear Coll., faithfully yours,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
Telegraph upon all occasions without ceremony. We are one,
and I hope ever shall be.
TO WILLIAM MARDSEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY
[Original in the Admiralty.]
Victory, off Cadiz, 7th October, 1805.
Sir,
I herewith transmit you for the information of the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, the monthly Disposition of the Fleet under my
command, in the best state that the information I have yet received of them
would enable me. You will likewise receive a Paper containing the number of
Frigates and Sloops required for the various services therein mentioned,
together with the number of both at present on this station, and intended to be
sent out from England, which I request you will be pleased to lay before the
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for their consideration and direction. His
Majesty's Ship Defiance [5] joined the Fleet this
morning from Portsmouth.
I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE.
P.S.—The Amphion has this moment joined from
Lisbon.
[INCLOSURE 1.]
LIST OF FRIGATES AND SLOOPS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN STATION,
AND ORDERED FROM ENGLAND.
FRIGATES/SLOOPS.
Including every Frigate and Sloop at present on the
station, the Jalouse, Childers, and Merlin, being unfit for the service of this
Country, are ordered home with the first Convoy to be repaired, and therefore
are not included - 14/ 8
In England, intended to be sent out - 7/ 3
Total in this Country, and under orders to come out, us
above - 21 /11
Wanted for the, service of this Country as stated on the
other side - 22/16
Deficient of the number actually wanted for this Country -
1/5
I have presumed, from conceiving it to be my duty, to lay
the above statement before their Lordships; and if the force of Frigates and
Sloops required, can be spared, with great vigilance, I am of opinion that the
important services of the Mediterranean may be fully carried into effect. But
their Lordships may be assured, that whatever force can be spared I shall do
all in my power to make he most of them, and to meet their expectations as far
as is practicable; and therefore my having transmitted this statement will, I
humbly hope, be viewed as springing from an anxious desire for the good of the
Service, and not unnecessarily to press for what may be impossible to grant.
Dated on board the Victory, off Cadiz, the 7th October
1805.
NELSON AND BRONTE.
[Inclosure 2.]
LIST OF FRIGATES AND SLOOPS ACTUALLY WANTED FOR THE
MEDITERRANEAN STATION, OUT AND INSIDE THE STRAITS.
FRIGATES/ SLOOPS
To be constantly with the Fleet off Cadiz, 8 Frigates and 2
Sloops. 2 Frigates and 2 Sloops to go to and from Gibraltar with Convoys, and
to relieve the others to refit , and the 2 Sloops to go occasionally to Lisbon
with dispatches, and for Purser's necessaries - 10/4
FRIGATES/ SLOOPS.
To be stationed constantly off Cape St. Mary's 1/0
To be stationed off Cape Spartel , 1/ 0
To be stationed off the Salvages 1/ 0
To be constantly stationed off Cape St. Vincent 0/ 1 To be
stationed off Cape Cautine 0/1
For the service of Gibraltar garrison, and to protect our
Trade passing and repassing the Straits, against the Enemy's numerous Gun-boats
and Privateers 2 /3
To be stationed off Cape Carthagena 1/ 1
Most essentially necessary for the service in the upper
part of the Mediterranean 2/ 2
Wanted for the service of Malta, to take the Trade to and
from the Adriatic, Archipelago, Naples, Messina, and, with the assistance of
the Cutters and Small Vessels, to protect the Island, and convey the
Bullock-Vessels to Valetta harbour 1/ 4
Attached to General Sir James Craig's Expedition 3/ 0
Total 22/ 16 |
