NELSON, Horatio, Lord (1758-1805). Victor of Trafalgar.
"RECEIVE THE RUSSIAN LIEUTENANT"
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 receive the Russian Lieutenant Alexis Harlamof "on board His Majesty's Ship under your Command, and give him a passage to England."
1 page folio, headed by Nelson's style and titles, including "Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed and to be employed on the Mediterranean Station." The text is in the hand of and also signed by Nelson's devoted secretary John Scott, who was killed at his side by one of the first shots fired at Trafalgar. Victory at Sea, 7 June 1804.
England and Russia had signed a treaty of alliance in 1801, at the outset of the reign of Czar Alexander I. At the same time the Czar maintained good relations with France, in the hope of being able to moderate Napoleon's ambitions. However this proved impossible after Austerlitz, and the defeat of the Russian army at Friedland in 1807 forced Alexander to accept Napoleon's conditions, a principal one being a complete break with England. In 1804, at the time of this letter, the Anglo-Russian alliance was still strong, and Nelson would have been pleased to transport a Russian officer to England, perhaps on a diplomatic mission. The Captain taking the officer is ordered to place him "upon a supernumerary list at whole allowance of all species of Provisions during the passage" [i.e. although not a member of the ship's company, he was to receive the same food allowance as the regular officers]. The Captain who received this order has made a note on the verso that he is to give the Russian Lieutenant a passage to Englnad, "victualling him at whole allowance of all officers."
Some wear along the centre horizontal fold.
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![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... etc.](http://www.maggs.com/t/n/779685/4049AU4553a.jpg "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... etc."){kind=small}
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... etc.
