NELSON, Horatio, Lord (1758-1805). Victor of Trafalgar.
"VERY LITTLE HOPES ARE TO BE EXPECTED FROM THE PRESENT ADMIRALTY"
Autograph Letter Signed ("Nelson & Bronte") to the Earl of Clanricarde [General John de Burgh, Commander of the Forces in Corsica], discussing the case of a Mr. Henry, who had evidently been court-martialled and suspended from the Navy.
3 pages 4to, Merton, 3 July 1802.
Nelson had been given command of the 'Squadron of a Particular Service' for home defence in July 1801. On 1 October Britain and France signed an armistice, which was to lead to the Peace of Amiens, and Nelson was given leave. He joined Sir William and Emma Hamilton at Merton, the small estate which Emma had found for him while he was at sea. Towards the end of July 1802, shortly after the date of this letter, they all set off on a tour of the Midlands and South Wales, starting in Oxford, where Nelson and Sir William received honorary Doctorates of Civil Law.
"I am afraid that I got so decisive an answer about Mr. Henry that but very little hopes are to be expected from the present Admiralty I trust you believe that if the business rested with me that that I would contrive some mode of bringing Mr. H. again into the service, not having seen the minutes of the Court Martial I can form no Judgement of what can be used in Mr. H. Memorial for restoration to his rank, as I was not in the Baltic when he was tried. Two ways are open, one a memorial to the King [George III] stating all the favorable circumstances of his case which mem[oria]l is referred to the adm[iral]ty the other is as you propose to get some admiral to make him from the station of midshipman, but then it lays with the ad[miral]ty to confirm him, and the present Board have given their opinion, and as to claims Lord St. V[incen]t told me that he conceives that no officer has any claim fior any services. Lord Henry Paulet is just paying off his ship and if he will join me in any further application I shall readily embrace evey occasion for doing what you would wish me ..."
In sound clear condition, but with some 'show-through'. Traces of mounting on blank last page. Tiny marginal splits have been rerpaired under our direction.
|
Letter Signed ("Nelson & Bronte"), as Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, an order to "The Captain or Commander of any of His Majesty's Ships or Vessels going to England", requiring him to... etc.
