"His capacious mind gave, on this dangerous and dreadful service,

an early specimen of those splendid elements, which have since

decorated, with never-fading laurels, the English naval military

fame; with deeds unparalleled in history, with atchievements beyond

the hope of envy.

"When the unfortunate contentions alluded to had diffused their

pernicious effects, slackened the ardour for the public-service,

and destroyed the success of the expedition by anticipation, he did

not suffer any narrow party spirit to influence his conduct He was

as zealous as intrepid.

"His country's honour, was his party! A brilliant example to all

military men. He did more than what he might, if he chose, have

considered as his duty. Where any thing was to be done, he saw no

difficulties.

"Not contented with having carried the armament safe to the harbour

of San Juan, he accompanied and assisted the troops in all their

difficulties, and remained with them till the castle surrendered.

"He was the first on shore, at the attack of St. Bartholomew,

followed by a few brave seamen and soldiers, in the face of a

severe fire. The undauntedness of the act frightened the Spaniards;

who, from the nature of the ground, might have put him and his

party to death: but they ran away, and abandoned the battery.

"By his example and perseverance, the Indians and seamen were

encouraged through their toil, in forcing the boats, against the

current, up the river: otherwise, not a man would have seen San

Juan Castle. When they arrived at the castle--as prompt in thought,

as bold in action--he advised the carrying it, instantly, by

assault. That his advice was not followed, this recital is a

lamentable testimony!"

Such is the grand outline of Dr. Moseley's history of this unfortunate

expedition; in the miscarriage of which, it must not be dissembled that,

among other causes, Colonel Polson appears in some degree inculpated. It

cannot, therefore, be improper to add, at least, the account which the

Colonel himself officially transmitted to Governor Dalling, the day

after the surrender of Fort Juan; and which, on the 18th of July 1780,

appeared in the London Gazette. His liberal praises of Captain Nelson,

the first ever conveyed to the public, or possibly to government, would

alone render it sufficiently interesting.

"When I reached Cape Gratias à Dios, there was not an Indian to be

seen: some villains, there, having taken pains to persuade them,

that the English army had come merely with an intent of enslaving

them, and sending them to Jamaica. It was, therefore, some time,

before any of them ventured to come in. I took the opportunity of

sending them small presents, by one of their people who had

ventured down to observe our motions. He, being acquainted with Mr.

Campbell, was undeceived by him, and brought to me; which had the

desired effect, as most of the tribes came in very soon after.

"Your excellency's letter of the 17th of March, I received the

20th, just as I entered the River St. John. I shall ever retain a

grateful sense of the sentiments you was therein pleased to express

for me: and I am sorry that the many delays I met at the cape, and

other places between that and the harbour of St. John, from the

want of craft, and the backwardness of the Indians in coming out,

prevented my operations keeping pace with your excellency's

expectations. I, however, hope you will do me the justice to

believe, that no time was lost, which could possibly be saved,

situated as I was. It was the 3d of March, before any Black River

crafts arrived, and they were the only ones then provided. It is

true, the Indian governor promised a great many: but, when I came

to his country, there was not a single one ready; and I got them,

at last, with very great difficulty. The superintendant was

entirely deceived by the Indians, in the number of crafts and men;

and still more so, in point of time.

"Captain Nelson, then of the Hinchinbroke, came up with thirty-four

seamen, a serjeant, and twelve marines. I want words to express the

obligations I owe that gentleman. He was the first, on every

service, whether by day or by night. There was scarcely a gun

fired, but was pointed by him, or Captain Despard, chief engineer,

who has exerted himself on every occasion. I am persuaded, if our

shot had held out, we should have had the fort a week sooner. As

Captain Nelson goes to Jamaica, he can inform you of every delay,

and point of service, as well as I could; for, he knows my very

thoughts.

"The bearer, Lieutenant Mounsey, can inform your excellency of many

things that may escape my memory. He is a very good officer, and

commanded the party I sent to reconnoitre the look-out: and began

the attack of it, in concert with Captain Despard and Captain

Nelson; who, with his seamen, volunteered that duty."

It is easy to perceive, at this early period, the singular heroism of

Captain Nelson's character; as well in the slight but forcible

delineation, sketched on the instant by Colonel Polson, as in the more

leisurely and finished picture of Dr. Moseley's masterly composition.

In both, we behold him seeking every opportunity to assist the

enterprise, with the most magnanimous zeal, and the soundest discretion.

Without his vigorous and skilful exertions, indeed, as Dr. Moseley

remarks, it is more than probable that not a man among them would ever

have reached San Juan Castle.

It was at the period while this brave and good man was thus honourably

and actively engaged, that a circumstance occurred, which seems to

indicate that he must have been under the peculiar protection of

Providence.

Having, one night, as was usual with him, while proceeding by land to

the scene of action, had his cot slung between two trees, he slept very

soundly till the morning; when he was early awakened, and not a little

startled, by a lizard's passing over his face. He now suddenly arose;

and, on hastily turning down the bed-cloaths, a large snake was

discovered lying at his feet, without having offered him the smallest

injury, though it was of a well known venomous species. The surrounding

Indians, who beheld this singular spectacle with astonishment--like the

barbarians of Melita, when the Apostle Paul shook off the viper--began

to consider him as a sort of divinity, and determined to follow him

wherever he went. They now, in fact, eagerly flocked after him, in

crowds, with the idea that no harm could possibly come to them while

they were in his presence. This occurrence, therefore, independent of

it's extreme singularity, had an effect very favourable to the purposes

of the expedition.

Though, however. Captain Nelson providentially escaped not only the

venom of the snake, but the pestilential catastrophe which afterwards

befel almost every individual of his unfortunate ship's company, as well

as the land forces with whom he entered Fort Juan; he was, nevertheless,

in a few days, violently seized with the contagion: and, fatigued and

disappointed as he had been, in the attainment of what now manifestly

appeared to him of little or no consequence, for even the treasure of

the castle had been removed before it's surrender, he was sinking fast

to the grave; with scarcely a hope, or even a wish, to survive the brave

fellows who were every day falling around him.

While he lay in this deplorable state, the reinforcement of troops which

had immediately been sent from Jamaica, on the first news of the

surrender of Fort Juan, brought intelligence that Captain Bonnovier

Glover, the commander of the Janus of forty-four guns, died on the 21st

of March, and that Sir Peter Parker had appointed Captain Nelson to

succeed him. This kind promotion, he has been often heard to say,

certainly saved his life. He immediately sailed to Jamaica, on board

the Victor sloop, that he might take possession of the Janus; and hope,

that never entirely abandoned him, began again to invigorate his heart.

His spirits, however, were always beyond his strength; though that, when

in full health, was by no means feeble, as his country's enemies had

many subsequent opportunities to experience.

The air of Jamaica, though far less unwholesome than that which he had

just quitted on the Spanish main, is not very invigorating to European

constitutions; and, instead of it's restoring him, he every day grew

worse and worse. Sir Peter Parker, therefore, kindly invited him to make

a home of his penn, which is the name of a West Indian villa; where he

received the most friendly attentions from Lady Parker, and the

skilfullest medicinal aids. All, however, proved ineffectual. His

extreme anxiety to get on board the ship to which he had been so

honourably appointed, tended now to augment his indisposition; and he

was reluctantly compelled, like his worthy friend, Captain Locker, to

depart for England. This, too, unwilling to resign his ship, he

positively declared, till the last, he never would do, while a single

person could be found who was of opinion that he might possibly recover

without quitting the island. No such person was obtainable; and,

accordingly, in a state of the most extreme debility, towards the close

of this year, he returned home, in his majesty's ship the Lion,

commanded by the Honourable William Cornwallis, the now celebrated

admiral; whose kind care and attention, during their passage, greatly

contributed to preserve his valuable life.

On his arrival in England, though then barely in existence, and almost

wholly without the use of his limbs, such was the excessive ardour of

his mind for employ, that nothing could prevent him from being

immediately carried to the Admiralty, and applying for a ship. "This

they readily promised me," he jocosely observed, soon after, to one of

his relations, "thinking it not possible for me to live."

He now went, directly, to Bath: where he was, at first, under the

necessity of being carried to the springs, and wherever else he wanted

to go; and, for several weeks afterwards, constrained to use crutches.

These, however, he at length threw aside, much sooner than his friends

at the Admiralty had expected; though it was nearly three months before

he entirely recovered the use of his limbs. In a letter which he wrote,

from this place, dated February 15, 1781, to his friend Captain Locker,

he observes that he is, thank God, very near perfectly restored; having

the complete use of all his limbs, except his left arm, of which he can

hardly tell the ailment: from the shoulder to his fingers ends felt as

if half dead, but the faculty gave him hopes that it would all go off.

He expresses his anxiety to be employed; and, as if willing to

demonstrate that his spirits were more lively than his limb, he says,

with considerable pleasantry and wit, speaking of three portraits--one

of the present Admiral George Montague, another of Sir Charles Pole, and

the third of himself, which was then painting by Mr. Rigaud as a present

for Captain Locker--"I hope, when I come to town, to see a fine _trio_

in your room. When you get the pictures, I must be in the middle; for,

God knows, without good _supporters_, I shall fall to the ground."

After the restoration of his health, he paid a visit to his worthy and

venerable father, at Burnham-Thorpe; as well as to his amiable eldest

sister, then recently married to Mr. Bolton, who resided at Wells, about

five miles distant, and other relatives and friends in the county of

Norfolk: few of whom, except his father, had ever once beheld him for

the last eleven years. The felicity of such a meeting is not to be

described, and it can only be conceived by those who have experienced

similar sensations.

At length, in August 1781, Captain Nelson was appointed to the command

of the Albemarle of twenty-eight guns. In this ship, which had been a

French merchantman, captured two years before, and purchased for the

king's service, his delicate constitution underwent a new and severe

trial; being employed, the whole winter, convoying and cruizing in the

North Seas. The inconvenience, too, as well as the dangers, of this

service, were in no slight degree augmented, by the mast's having been

made much too long for the ship; a circumstance which had, at several

times, nearly occasioned it to be overset. These perils, too, were

wholly unattended with what may be denominated any success; as the

Dutch, the greater part of the time, had not a single trading vessel at

sea: and, though a privateer, said to be the noted pirate, Fall, stole

into the fleet which the Albemarle was convoying, it got clear off,

after an hour's chace, owing to the necessity of Captain Nelson's

returning to the unprotected ships.

On their arrival in England, the mast was taken out, and properly

shortened; and, such other improvements being made, as suggested

themselves to the captain, it was, at length, far from a bad old ship.

He always, however, humorously insisted, that the French had taught the

Albemarle to run away; as it was never a good sailer, except when going

directly before the wind.

In March 1782, he was ordered to Cork; to join the Dædalus, Captain

Thomas Pringle, and go with a convoy to Quebec, where they were expected

to winter. This was another severe blow at his tender frame, which had

been so buffeted all the late season. He had, indeed, great reason to

dread it's effects, and wished much to be off of this voyage; but,

though he did not doubt that, if he had a little time, he might get

another ship--especially, as his friend, Surgeon Adair, who also

attended Admiral Keppel, had declared that, if he were sent to a cold

climate, it would make him worse than ever--having received his orders

from Lord Sandwich, he could not avoid thinking it wrong to ask Admiral

Keppel to alter them. Such was his high sense of propriety, and so

little his self-consideration.

On the 27th of May, Captain Nelson arrived in St. John's Harbour,

Newfoundland, with four sail of the convoy; having parted with the

Dædalus, twenty days before, three hundred leagues to the eastward of

Cape Clear, in a hard gale of wind.

On the 3d of June, hearing that the remainder of the Quebec fleet had

arrived at a harbour some leagues to the leeward, he sailed to join

them; and, without losing a single vessel, they reached the place of

destination on the 1st of July.

The third day after their arrival, he was ordered on a cruize off

Boston; from which he returned to Quebec on the 17th of September, with

the whole crew almost devoured by the scurvy. Himself and all the

officers had, for eight weeks together, lived on salt beef; nor had the

ship's company enjoyed a single fresh meal since the beginning of April.

During the greater part of this time, he had made a point of contriving

to see Boston steeple every morning; where he watched for vessels, as

they sailed in and out of the harbour.

Though this cruize was of the unsuccessful sort, not a single prize

being brought into port, they took, saw, and destroyed, more enemies

than are often met with in the same space of time. Some of the prizes

taken, and one of them of considerable value, were lost by the

mismanagement of the prize-masters. That of the principal one, was

occasioned by the intoxication of the captors; who had, indiscreetly,

made too free with the wine on board.

"I do not, however," said he, in a letter to Captain Locker, "repine at

our loss; we have, in other respects, been very fortunate: for, on the

14th of August, we fell in with, in Boston Bay, four sail of the line,

and the Iris frigate, part of Monsieur Vaudreuil's squadron, who gave us

a pretty dance for nine or ten hours. But we beat all, except the

frigate; and, though we brought to for her, after we were out of sight

of the line of battle ships, she tacked and stood from us. Our escape I

think wonderful. They were, on the clearing up of a fog, within shot of

us; and chased us, the whole time, about one point from the wind. The

frigate, I fancy, had not forgotten the dressing Captain Salter had

given the Amazon, for daring to leave the line of battle ships."

This is the hero's own modest account of the affair: but, in truth, he

might have assumed all the merit of his escape. The pretty dance he

mentions, was led and concluded, by himself, with consummate skill and

address, among the shoals of St. George's Bank; where the line of battle

ships were unable to follow, had they even possessed his skill in

pilotage. They, therefore, at length, quitted the pursuit: though the

frigate, for some time after, continued to persevere; and had, about

sun-set, even approached within little more than gun-shot. At this time,

overhearing some of his men remark to one another, that they thought, as

the line of battle ships were not following, they should be able to

manage the frigate, he immediately told his brave fellows, in the most

kind and encouraging language, that he would, at least, give them an

opportunity to try for it: and, ordering the main-top-sail to be

instantly laid to the mast, the French frigate no sooner beheld them

thus bringing to, to engage, than it suddenly tacked, and bore away to

rejoin it's consorts. The ascription of this French pusillanimity, to

Captain Salter's gallant chastisement of the Amazon, on a similar

occasion, is a very refined compliment to that deserving officer, and an

admirable specimen of Captain Nelson's excessive candour and humility;

while the acknowledgment that he had, "in other respects, been very

fortunate," displays the genuine operation of nature in a valorous

British bosom, so successfully described by Goldsmith, in his admirable

tale of the Disabled Veteran.

It was at Quebec that Captain Nelson and Alexander Davison, Esq.

commenced that friendship which was continued, on his part, to what may

be considered as the last moment of his life; and which, on the part of

Mr Davison, extending beyond the grave, still survives for all who were

dear to him, and to every thing that regards a due veneration of his

memory.

In less than a month, while comfortably situated at Quebec, chiefly

residing on shore at Mr. Davison's, with no other expectations, or

desire, than those of returning to England, the arrival of the Drake

sloop, and Cockatrice cutter, brought directions for the transports to

be fitted for the reception of troops, and sent to New York; in

consequence of which, Captain Nelson was ordered to conduct the fleet

thither. This, as he observed, in the letter last quoted, dated from the

Isle of Bec, in the River St. Lawrence, was "a very _pretty job_, at

this late season of the year; for our sails are," adds he, "at this

moment frozen to the yards."

On arriving at New York, about the beginning of November, where he found

Lord Hood, he requested that admiral would take him to the West Indies.

Lord Hood, accordingly, wrote to Admiral Digby, who was commander in

Chief at New York; and, he was, in consequence, to have sailed with the

fleet: but, for some private reasons, when his ship was under sail from

New York, to join Lord Hood, Captain Nelson was sent for, on shore; and

informed, that he was to be kept forty-eight hours after the sailing of

the fleet. Though this is said to have been for his own individual

advantage, he felt much disappointed at not sailing with the fleet. In

the mean time, Lord Hood had highly praised him, in a very liberal

letter, for wishing to go off this station, to a station of service,

concluding with the most encouraging assurances of friendship.

Without pretending to penetrate into all that relates to the private

reasons above stated, it is certain that Lord Hood was desirous to have

Captain Nelson, and that Admiral Digby was unwilling to part with him:

so sensible, at this early period, were both these commanders of his

value. The contest, however, was at length concluded, by Admiral Hood's

agreeing to leave a ship of nearly double the force for the Albemarle;

which, after all, Admiral Digby is said to have scarcely considered as

sufficient.

On joining the fleet, Lord Hood's notice of Captain Nelson was in the

highest degree flattering to so young a man. He actually treated him as

a son, and was always ready to grant him every thing that he could ask.

Prince William Henry, too, as the Duke of Clarence was then called,

having recently entered into the navy under Admiral Digby, contracted a

strong friendship for Captain Nelson, which was ever retained. Lord Hood

even told the prince, on first introducing them to each other, that if

he wished to ask any questions relative to naval tactics, Captain Nelson

could give him as much information as any officer in the fleet. This

was, indeed, acting the part of a professional father to both the young

men.

In a letter from Cape Tiberoon, dated February 25, 1783, written by

Captain Nelson to his friend Captain Locker, from which some of the

above facts are also extracted, he says, speaking of the Duke of

Clarence--"He will be, I am certain, an ornament to our service. He is

a seaman; which, perhaps, you would hardly suppose: every other

qualification you may expect from him. A vast deal of notice has been

taken of him at Jamaica: he has been addressed by the Council, and the

House of Assembly were to address him the day after I sailed. He has his

levees at Spanish Town; they are all highly delighted with him. With the

best temper, and great good sense, he cannot fail being pleasing to

every one."

What a pity it is, that any impediment should have ever prevailed

against the royal duke's taking an active command!

Some time after Captain Nelson had joined Lord Hood, in the West Indies,

the admiral having received several contradictory accounts of the number

of the enemy's ships at the Havannah, and being consequently unable to

rely on such varying reports, was desirous of sending, for the requisite

information, one on whom he well knew he might safely depend.

Accordingly, Captain Nelson was dispatched on this business, which he

executed with his usual adroitness and success. He reflected that the

Albemarle, from it's having been formerly a French ship, might still be

taken for one on this occasion. Having, therefore, sailed for the

Spanish main, he hoisted French colours, and lay off the Havannah

harbour. While he remained in this situation, a boat filled with

scientific gentlemen, who had been collecting curious plants, and other

natural rarities, on the Spanish main, happening to pass near, he

ordered them to be hailed, and invited aboard. From these persons, who

had no suspicion that this French-built vessel, and under a French flag,

being addressed also in that language, was any other than it pretended

to be, very readily mentioned all the particulars relative to the force

and number of the ships in the harbour: their astonishment, however, is

not to be described, when they found themselves prisoners of war, on

board an English frigate. The worthy captain soon satisfied them, that

they had not fallen into the hands of free-booters; and, in

consideration of the scientific pursuits in which they were manifestly

engaged, the manner in which they had been captured, and the requisite

information with which they had faithfully furnished him, he told them,

in the handsomest way possible, after regaling them on board for some

time, that they should be at liberty to depart whenever they pleased,

with their boat and all it contained, on their parole of honour, to be

considered as prisoners, if his commander in chief should refuse to

acquiesce in their being thus liberated, which he did not think at all

likely to happen. Struck with such generosity of sentiment, they

earnestly entreated him to take whatever might be most acceptable from

their collection of natural curiosities, or any thing else they had to

offer; but he positively declined receiving any reward for doing what he

felt to be his duty under all the circumstances of the case, and they

parted with mutual good wishes for each other's felicity. It will

hereafter appear, that this generous act was performed to one, at least,

of the party, who retained a very grateful sense of the indulgence.

Captain Nelson continued actively employed in the West Indies, till the

Peace of 1783; but Lord Rodney's famous victory of the 12th of April

1782, which led finally to that event, had so completely damped the

ardour of the enemy, that little or nothing farther occurred, worthy of

particular notice. At the conclusion of the war, he had the honour of

attending his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence on a visit which he

paid to the Governor of the Havannah; a circumstance which contributed

still more powerfully to cement their mutual friendship. From hence,

being under orders to return home, he sailed for England, where he

safely arrived; and his ship was paid off, at Portsmouth, about the

first week in July 1783.

In such estimation was this brave and worthy man held, even at that

period, by those who had the best opportunities of judging, that the

whole of his ship's company offered, if he could get a ship, to enter

for it immediately. Nor can we wonder at this attachment, when we behold

him, on shore, after the conclusion of their services, employing all his

activity and address in attempts to get the wages due to his good

fellows, as he kindly called them, for various ships in which they had

served during the war. The infernal plan of turning them over from ship

to ship, he frequently declared, occasioned the chief disgust which

seamen have to the navy; and both prevented them from being attached to

their officers, and their officers from caring two-pence about them.

A few days after the Albemarle was paid off, Lord Hood introduced

Captain Nelson at St. James's; where he remarked that the king was

exceedingly attentive to what his lordship said. The beginning of the

week following, he went to Windsor; and there took leave of the Duke of

Clarence, who was then about to embark for the continent.

As Captain Nelson had now no thoughts of going to sea; his fortune not

permitting him to live on board a king's ship, to use his own words, "in

such a manner as is going on at present;" after again visiting his

family and friends in Norfolk, he agreed to reside a short time in

France, with Captain Macnamara, for the purpose of acquiring a knowledge

of the French language.

Sterne's Sentimental Journey, he said, was the best description he could

give of this tour. He was highly diverted by looking what a curious

figure the postillions, in their jack boots, and their rats of horses,

made together. He was told that they travelled _en poste_, but did not

get on above four miles an hour. Their chaises were without springs, and

the roads paved like London streets. They were shewn into an inn, as the

Frenchmen called it; but he thought it more like a pig-stye: there, in a

room with two straw beds, they had two pigeons for supper, on a dirty

cloth, with wooden handled knives. "Oh!" exclaimed he, "what a

transition from happy England!" But they laughed at the repast; and went

to bed with a determination that nothing should ruffle their temper. In

their way to St. Omer's, they passed through a very fine corn country,

diversified with woods; and Captain Nelson, though a Norfolk man,

acknowledged it to be the best place for game he had ever known.

Partridges, at Montrieul, were sold at two-pence halfpenny a brace, and

pheasants and woodcocks in proportion. On arriving at St. Omer's, he was

surprised to find it, instead of a dirty, nasty town, as he had always

heard it represented, a large city, with good streets, well paved and

lighted.

While Captain Nelson was at St. Omer's, he received a most polite letter

from the principal personage among those whom he had detained off Porto

Cavallo, when he went to look into the harbour of the Havannah. This

gentleman's rank he did not at all know till he got to France. His

assumed name was that of the Count de Deux Ponts: but he was, in fact, a

Prince of the German Empire, a General of the French Army, Knight of the

Grand Order of St. Louis, and second in command at the capture of York

Town. His brother was heir-apparent of the Electorate of Bavaria, and of

the Palatinate. So that Captain Nelson had the honour of taking prisoner

a man who was not unlikely to become a sovereign prince of Europe, and

capable of carrying into the field an army of a hundred thousand men.

This letter, which had been dispatched the first moment it was known by

the grateful writer that Captain Nelson had arrived in France, was truly

expressive of the attention that had been paid him when on board the

English ship, and contained a very kind and pressing invitation to

Paris; of which it was the captain's full intention to have availed

himself, had he remained as long in the country as was originally

intended.

Though he visited only a few English families, lest he should never

speak French, he made but slow progress in learning the language; and,

early in the year 1784, was recalled from it's pursuit by the prospect

of an appointment.

About the 20th of March, accordingly, he was commissioned for the Boreas

frigate of twenty-eight guns, then at Long Reach, under the command of

Captain Wells: and, unfortunately, was attacked the very same day, by

the ague and fever; which continued, every other day, for above a

fortnight, and pulled him down most astonishingly. This, however, was

not his sole misfortune. On his recovery, he sailed at daylight, just

after high water; but the pilot run the ship aground, where it lay with

so little water that the people could walk round, till next flood. That

night, and part of the following day, the ship lay behind the Nore, with

a hard gale of wind and snow. "On Tuesday," says he, in a true sailor's

letter to Captain Locker, dated at Portsmouth, April 21, 1784, "I got

into the Downs: Wednesday, I got into a quarrel with a Dutch Indiaman,

who had Englishmen on board; which we settled, though with some

difficulty. The Dutchman made a complaint against me; but the Admiralty,

fortunately, have approved my conduct in the business; a thing they are

not very guilty of, where there is a likelihood of a scrape. And

yesterday, to complete me, I was riding a _blackguard_ horse, that ran

away with me at Common; carried me round all the works, into Portsmouth,

by the London gates; through the town; out at the gate that leads to

Common, where there was a waggon in the road, which is so very narrow

that a horse could barely pass. To save my legs, and perhaps my life, I

was obliged to throw myself from the horse; which I did, with great

agility: but, unluckily, upon hard stones; which has hurt my back, and

my legs, but done no other mischief. It was a thousand to one, that I

had not been killed. To crown all, a young girl was with me: her horse

ran away, as well as mine; but, most fortunately, a gallant young man

seized the horse's bridle a moment before I dismounted, and saved her

from the destruction she could not have avoided."

This was, certainly, a most wonderful escape, though it is related with

a vein of humour which takes off all apprehension from the reader; to

whom it must, undoubtedly, appear little less whimsical and facetious

than John Gilpin's celebrated race: while, to balance the advantage of

Cowper's admirable fiction, it has the boast of Nelson's unimpeachable

truth.

The Boreas, being fully equipped for the Leeward Islands, as a cruizer

on the peace establishment, Captain Nelson sailed from Spithead about

the middle of May 1784; carrying out Lady Hughes and her family, to

Admiral Sir Richard Hughes, who commanded in chief on that station.

They arrived at Madeira, after a pleasant passage, on the 1st of June;

and, on the 8th, proceeded to the place of destination, which they

safely reached just before the hurricane season. The ladies expressed

themselves well satisfied with their accommodation on board, which had

certainly cost the captain nearly two hundred pounds extraordinary; for

which Lady Hughes is stated, from most respectable authority, to have

demonstrated her gratitude, by presenting him with a silver tea-caddy

ladle, which could hardly be worth more than five shillings!

The service, on this station, was attended with difficulties which had,

perhaps, been but little expected, either by the officers of the British

navy, or those who sent them; and it was far more fortunate for

government, than it was for Captain Nelson, that he had been employed on

the occasion.

The Americans, while colonists of Great Britain, had enjoyed, as

subjects, almost the entire trade between their country and our West

India Islands. Having erected themselves into independent states, they

had hoped that, on the return of peace, we should have permitted them

again to enjoy the privileges of fellow-subjects, which they had, by

withdrawing their allegiance, undoubtedly forfeited. This hope had not

been indulged, by the Americans, through any want of political

discernment on their part; they well knew themselves now to be, what on

other occasions they loudly enough boasted, foreigners in every sense of

the word. They were satisfied, however, at the same time, that the

mother-country had not always been renowned for the highest degree of

national sagacity; they felt, that they had themselves acquired, by

force, the independence which they enjoyed; and they trusted that the

British administration, through apprehensions of renewing an unpopular

and disastrous war, would be induced to connive at, if not confirm, the

privilege the Americans affected to claim under the very Navigation Act

of Great Britain, the most beneficial effect of which they were thus

artfully contriving to destroy.

The West Indians, themselves, who were prevented, by an immediate

prospect of the return of their own interest, from contemplating it in a

remote view, they well knew, would oppose no obstacle: these, in fact,

readily fell into the snare, and were clamorous for their old customers.

Those persons, too, who held official situations, generally more

considerate of their ease and their emoluments, than of the duties

proper to be performed, in a climate so enervating, and a country so

luxurious, would naturally, it was not doubted, rather contend for,

than against, such claims as seemed to favour these indulgences. Here,

too, with very few exceptions, they met with equally zealous and still

more powerful supporters.

The governors and custom-house officers, in fact, agreed that, by the

Navigation Act, the Americans had a right to trade with all our West

India islands; and the merchants and planters, who likewise found it for

their present interest to embrace the same doctrine, pretended that they

were of the same opinion.

Captain Nelson, in the mean time, ever as studious to acquire a due

knowledge of the full extent of his professional duties, as zealously

determined completely to perform the utmost that they could possibly

require of him, unswayed by any sinister or selfish motive, viewed the

business in a very different light; and felt that, as an executive naval

officer, it was his business to enforce, on all occasions, the maritime

laws of his country.

Accordingly, in November 1784, the hurricane months being over, and the

squadron arrived at Barbadoes, where the ships were to separate for the

different islands, with no other orders than those for examining

anchorages, and usual enquiries after wood and water, as this did not

appear to him the intent of placing men of war, in peaceable times, he

asked Captain Collingwood to accompany him, their sentiments being

exactly similar, and ask the commander in chief a few questions. They,

accordingly, proceeded together, to Sir Richard Hughes; when Captain

Nelson respectfully asked, whether they were not to attend to the

commerce of their country, and to take care that the British trade was

kept in those channels which the navigation laws pointed out? Sir

Richard replied, that he had no particular orders, nor had the Admiralty

sent him any acts of parliament. That, Captain Nelson remarked, was very

singular, as every captain of a man of war was furnished with the

Statutes of the Admiralty, in which the Navigation Act was included;

which act was directed to admirals, captains, &c. to see it carried into

execution. On producing and reading these laws to Sir Richard, to use

Captain Nelson's own words, "he seemed convinced that men of war were

sent abroad for some other purpose than to be made a show of;" and, the

Americans then filling our ports, orders were issued for all the

squadrons to see the Navigation Act carried into execution.

When Captain Nelson went to his station, at St. Kitt's, he sent away all

the Americans; not chusing to seize them at that time, lest it should

have appeared a trap laid for them.

In December, to his utter astonishment, he received an order from the

commander in chief, stating that he had obtained good advice, and

required that the Americans might not only be prevented from coming in,

but permitted to have free egress and regress, if the governor chose to

allow them. He inclosed, at the same time, a copy of the orders which

he had sent to the governors and presidents of the islands. Some, on

this, began by sending letters, not far different from orders, that they

should admit them in such and such situations as they described: telling

Captain Nelson, that Sir Richard had left it to them; but, that they

thought it right to let him know it. These, however, he soon silenced.

The commander in chief's was a more delicate business. He was under the

necessity of either disobeying orders, or of disobeying acts of

parliament which he conceived the latter was disobeying. He, therefore,

nobly determined on the former: trusting to the uprightness of his

intention; and fully confiding, that his country would not allow him to

be ruined by protecting it's commerce. He sent to Sir Richard;

expatiated on the navigation laws, to the best of his ability; and

frankly told him, that some person, he was certain, had been giving him

advice, which he would be sorry for having taken, against the positive

directions of acts of parliament. He expressed his conviction, that Sir

Richard had too much regard for the commerce of Great Britain, to suffer

our worst enemy to take it from us; and that, too, at a time when Great

Britain was straining every nerve to suppress illegal trade at home,

which only affected her revenue: that he hoped we should not be so

singular, as to allow of a much more ruinous traffic's being carried on

under the king's flag. He added, in short, that he should decline

obeying his orders, till he had an opportunity of seeing and talking to

him; making, at the same time, an apology for any seeming impropriety.

Sir Richard Hughes was, at first, going to send a captain to supersede

him: but, having mentioned the matter to his captain, was informed, that

all the squadron seemed to think the orders sent were illegal; and,

therefore, did not know how far Captain Nelson was obliged to obey them.

Such being their sentiments, he could not have been there tried by a

court-martial.

Captain Nelson now proceeded to inform the people of the custom-house,

that he should, after such a day, seize all foreign vessels found in our

islands; and, till then, keep them out to the utmost of his power. They

fancied, however, that he could not seize, without a deputation; and,

therefore, disregarded his threats.

In May 1785, accordingly, he seized the first American vessel.

Immediately, he had the governor, the officers of the customs, and most

of the planters, for his enemies. Subscriptions were instantly set on

foot, and soon filled, to prosecute him; and the admiral stood neuter,

though his flag was then flying in the roads.

This last circumstance grieved him; but there was nothing by which he

could either be dismayed or deterred from any act which he considered as

forming part of his positive duty.

Though he had thus offended most of the heads of distributive justice,

and the demons of the law were accordingly let loose on him, before the

first vessel's complaint was brought to trial, he had seized four others

under similar predicaments. On these occasions, too, having ordered the

masters on board his ship, to examine them; and sent marines to take

forcible possession of their vessels, without allowing any person

whatever to go on shore; he had many different actions brought against

him, for detention, false imprisonment, &c. and damages laid, in the

various causes, at the enormous sum of forty thousand pounds!

The consequence was, that he remained a close prisoner on board his own

ship eight weeks, to prevent being arrested for a sum which it would

have been impossible for him to have found bail.

When the trial came on, he was protected, for the day, by the judge. The

marshal, however, was engaged to arrest him, and the merchants promised

to indemnify that officer for the act: but, the judge having declared

that he would send him to prison, if he dared take such a step, he

thought proper to desist.

Let it, however, never be forgotten, that Captain Nelson had the good

fortune to find an honest lawyer; and, that the President of Nevis

offered the court to become his bail for ten thousand pounds, if he

chose to suffer the caption! The worthy president declared, that Captain

Nelson had done only his duty; and, though himself suffered more in

proportion than any of them, he could not possibly blame him.

Thus, supported by an upright judge, an honest attorney, and a sincere

and opulent friend, after a trial of two days, he carried his cause, and

the American vessels were condemned.

As a last resource, when under the terrors of the law, the only terrors

his heroic mind ever felt, he had transmitted a memorial to his majesty;

who, immediately, says Captain Nelson, "had the goodness to order me to

be defended at his expence; and sent orders to Mr. Shirley to afford me

every assistance in the execution of my duty: referring him to my

letters, &c. as there was, in them, what concerned him not to have

suffered."

This kindness was particularly grateful, as it manifested the fullest

approbation of Captain Nelson's conduct; but he felt far from being

pleased to find, that the chief praise bestowed by government on the

occasion was addressed to the very person whom, he could not but be of

opinion, least deserved it. "The treasury," says he, "by the last

packet, has transmitted thanks to the commander in chief, and the

officers under him, for their activity and zeal in protecting the

commerce of Great Britain. Had they known what I have told you, I don't

think they would have bestowed thanks in that quarter, and neglected me.

I feel much hurt that, after all the loss of health, and risque of

fortune, another should be thanked for that which I did, and against his

orders. I either deserved to be sent out of the service, or at least

have had some little notice taken of me. They have thought it worthy of

notice, and have neglected me. If this is the reward for a faithful

discharge of my duty, I shall be careful, and never stand forward again.

But, I have done my duty, and have nothing to accuse myself of."

What is thus urged against the propriety of giving most thanks to him

who had, from misconception or misrepresentation, been induced rather to

prevent than promote those operations by which thanks were obtained; and

not particularly directing the smallest attention, otherwise than by

indemnifying his law expences, to the individual who had, at all

hazards, effectually performed them; is certainly very natural. Let it

be considered, however, that government might not be so sufficiently

informed of all the particulars as to warrant their entering into a nice

degree of just discrimination.

About this period, March 1786, Captain Nelson seems to have been engaged

in paying his addresses to the widow of Dr. Nesbit, of the Island of

Nevis, Mrs. Frances Herbert Nesbit, who was a daughter of William

Herbert, Esq. the senior judge, and niece of his brother the president:

for he says, in a letter to Captain Locker, "most probably, the next

time you see me, will be as a Benedict; I think, I have found a woman

who will make me happy." He adds, that he shall tell him more shortly;

but, that his paper is full. In two subsequent letters, however, one of

the 29th of December following, and the other of the 9th of February

1787, not an additional word appears respecting the lady.

In the mean time, Admiral Sir Richard Hughes had, in August, quitted the

command; and, shortly after, Captain Nelson received orders from the

Admiralty, to take the Pegasus and Solebay frigates under his command,

immediately on their arrival from Nova Scotia, which was about the

latter end of November. The Pegasus being commanded by Prince William

Henry, the Duke of Clarence, his royal highness was, of course, under

the command of Captain Nelson; who did every thing in his power to

prevent his illustrious friend from being a loser by this pleasing

circumstance. They were, in fact, mutually attached to each other, and

almost inseparable companions. He knew that the prince had foibles, as

well as private men; but he knew, also, that they were far overbalanced

by his virtues. In his professional line, he considered him as superior

to nearly two-thirds of the list; and, in attention to orders, and

respect to his superiors, Captain Nelson declared, that he hardly ever

knew his equal.

The prince was every where received with all the honour and respect due

to his rank, at our different islands: and was invited, also, by the

French Governor of Martinico, the Viscount de Damas; and the Baron de

Clugny, Governor of Guadaloupe; to favour their islands with a visit.

On the 14th of February, Captain Nelson writes to his friend Captain

Locker, from Montserrat--"I am here, with the Pegasus and Solebay. The

island has made fine addresses, and good dinners. Tomorrow, we sail for

Nevis and St. Christopher's, where the same fine things will be done

over again. His royal highness keeps up strict discipline in his ship;

and, without paying him any compliment, she is one of the first ordered

frigates I have seen. He has had more plague with his officers than

enough. His first-lieutenant will, I have no doubt, be broke. I have put

him under arrest; he having written for a court-martial on himself, to

vindicate his conduct, because his captain thought proper to reprimand

him in the order-book. In short, our service has been so much relaxed

during the war, that it will cost many a court-martial to bring it up

again."

The affair above alluded to, which made considerable noise at the time,

appears to have been this: the prince, on going ashore, is said to have

left express orders, that none of the crew should, during his absence,

be permitted to quit the ship. The lieutenant, however, from the general

maxim, that the superior officer on board has a right to exercise

uncontrouled command, permitted a boat to go on shore with some of the

men. This coming to his royal highness's knowledge, who could not

possibly be pleased with what appeared manifestly done in defiance of

his instructions, he adopted the method which has been mentioned of

expressing, in the order-book, his disapprobation of the act.

Captain Nelson proved, by his conduct on the occasion, what he thought

of the business: and, without his knowledge of naval usage, a man at all

conversant in legal constructions, or even the plainest principles of

common sense, must see, if he is not blinded by prejudice, that the

general rule above alluded to could never be intended to overthrow any

positive orders left by a superior officer, at the will of the inferior.

If, indeed, a case of necessity should arise, the latter would have a

right to act according to his discretion; but it must always be at his

peril, if he cannot prove, at least, that it appeared to be absolutely

necessary; still more so, if he manifestly breaks through, wilfully or

perversely, the very orders which himself received from his superior

officer, and is consequently bound to see regularly carried into

execution.

It is somewhat remarkable, that Captain Nelson, in writing to Captain

Locker, whom he always considered as a sort of father as well as a

friend, on the day preceding his departure for Nevis, where he was a few

weeks afterwards married to the widow of Dr. Nesbit, a physician of that

island, should not even yet muster sufficient resolution to say that he

was then going to take possession of the woman who, he thought, was

destined to make him happy.

To this lady, who had a son then about nine years of age, he was, at

length, early in March 1787, actually united. The marriage was

celebrated with considerable splendour, and his Royal Highness the Duke

of Clarence did them the honour to stand as the bride's father on the

joyful occasion.

A very few days afterwards, he proceeded, in the Boreas, on his passage

to Tortola, with his royal highness, who had then only that island and

Grenada left unvisited. Indeed, ever since November, his time had been

entirely taken up in attending the prince on his tour round these

islands.

On the 21st of March, he wrote, while at sea, to Captain Locker,

expressing how happy he should be when the time arrived for a voyage to

England. "No man," he observes, "has had more illness, or more trouble,

on a station, than I have experienced: but, let me lay a balance on the

other side--I am married to an amiable woman, that far makes amends for

every thing. Indeed, till I married her, I never knew happiness. I shall

have great pleasure in introducing you to her."

The prince, he adds, who has shewn him every act of kindness that the

most professed friendship could bestow, was expected to leave the

country in June; and, by that time, himself hopes orders will arrive for

his returning to England. He wonders that any independent man will

accept the command of this station: "for," he concludes, "there is

nothing pleasant to be got by it."

In June 1787, accordingly, the term of three years usually allotted to

ships employed on such stations in times of peace being expired, he was

ordered home; and arrived at Portsmouth the beginning of July, with Mrs.

Nelson and her son.

From this place he writes, on the 3d instant, to his friend Captain

Locker; and, speaking of his "dear wife," says-- "I have no doubt you

will like her, on acquaintance; for, although I must be partial, yet she

possesses great good sense, and good temper."

In all these praises of his lady may be clearly discerned, that he

congratulated himself on having made, at least, a prudent choice. There

is little, however, of that rapturous extasy which issues from many a

finally most infelicitous husband, some days, weeks, or even months,

after the conjugal union.

It was not, certainly, on his side, a mercenary match. He would have

been incapable of marrying with so mean a motive. He is said, indeed, to

have given, about this period, a substantial proof of very much the

contrary disposition. This appears in the following anecdote, which has

been repeatedly published.

The President of Nevis had been so excessively displeased with his only

daughter, that he resolved to disinherit the young lady, and leave her

immense fortune to his niece, Mrs. Nelson: but Captain Nelson, most

generously, instead of widening the breach between them, actually made

use of all his interest with the president, who had the highest regard

for him, completely to close it, by bringing about a perfect

reconciliation; which, at length, to his unspeakable satisfaction, he

had the happiness of accomplishing.

Dr. Nesbit, Mrs. Nelson's first husband, was a native of Scotland. He

had, formerly, been an apothecary at Coventry; but, at Nevis, he

practised as a physician. He had not, however, acquired any very

considerable wealth. It has even been asserted, that Captain Nelson

received the widow and child without any present fortune whatever; and

that four thousand pounds, some years afterwards bequeathed Mrs. Nelson,

on the death of her father or uncle, was the whole that ever came into

his hands by his marriage with that lady. When it is considered, that he

was, at this time, a post-captain in the British navy, of more than

eight years standing, though only twenty-nine years of age, there could,

surely, be no reason for him to expect, without saying a word about

prospects from his transcendent abilities, that he was ever to hear any

reflections on the pecuniary advantages which he derived from this most

disinterested union!

The Boreas was paid off at Sheerness, on the 30th of November 1787; and

the winter was chiefly employed in visiting places of public amusement,

and introducing Mrs. Nelson to his numerous respectable friends.

In a letter, written at Bath, April 3, 1778, to his friend Captain

Locker, he says, that he has been, for the last month, at a relation's

near Bristol, and is only just returned, to drink the waters another

fortnight. He was, in fact, very partial to Bath: not only on account of

the present cure he had himself received there; but because his

venerable and much afflicted father was under the absolute necessity of

spending his winters in that city, during so many of the latter years of

his life. The Reverend Mr. Nelson, indeed, from paralytic and asthmatic

affections, which would scarcely permit him to speak for several hours

after rising in the morning, had actually been given over by the

physicians almost forty years prior to his decease.

From Bath, Captain Nelson proceeded, on another visit of a month, to

Exmouth; and, passing through London, in the summer, went immediately

into Norfolk, where it was agreed to fix his future residence.

His father, accordingly, gave him up the parsonage-house at

Burnham-Thorpe, where he formed his little domestic establishment. He

had, in the mean time, since his arrival in England, been again pestered

with prosecutions from some of the Americans whose ships he seized in

the West Indies, On this subject he says, in a letter to Captain Locker,

"I have written them word, that I will have nothing to do with them, and

they must act as they think proper: government, I suppose, will do what

is right, and not leave me in the lurch. We have heard enough, lately,

of the consequence of the Act of Navigation to this country. They may

take my person; but, if six-pence would save me from a prosecution, I

would not give it."

Though this may have the semblance of treating lightly these menaced

legal prosecutions, it is well known that he felt very acutely on the

occasion: and nothing is more certain, than that he would have for ever

quitted England, had not government so far interfered as entirely to

quiet all his apprehensions on the subject. His remonstrances were too

strong to be resisted. He was a man to be in no way trifled with. Thus,

had a thoughtless or careless administration slighted, or neglected, his

claim to protection, and left him a prey to legal machinations, the

nation would have certainly lost it's chief champion; for, on the best

authority, it is here repeated, he once had it in contemplation to leave

for ever his native country!

What an awful consideration does this demand, from those who are

entrusted with the administration of justice! How many great men have

been driven into eternal exile by the terrors of abused justice, by

legal constructions of equity, and by the horrors of an impending prison

for the perpetual incarceration of unfortunate and injured innocence!

Not, now, likely to be disturbed in the calmness of his retirement, he

willingly descended, from the hero, to the private gentleman. Nor did

he even disdain to cultivate a few acres of glebe land annexed to the

rectory. Known, and beloved, by all the gentry in the neighbourhood, he

joined frequently in their field diversions, and was particularly fond

of coursing. Though one of the best gunners in the world, he was a bad

shot at a hare, a woodcock, or a partridge. In pointing a great gun,

however, on grand and suitable occasions, at a ship, a castle, or a

fort, he was scarcely to be equalled: so well, indeed, was this talent

known, and so universally recognized, by his frequently volunteering his

services on shore, that he was familiarly called the brigadier, ever

after the affair of San Juan.

In cultivating the friendship of respectable neighbours, who laudably

courted his society; in rendering kind offices to the humbler

inhabitants of his vicinity, by whom he was universally beloved; in

enriching his mind by reading and reflection, and improving his land by

cultivation; this great man employed most part of the leisure which

peace afforded him. Sometimes, indeed, he went to Bath, or other

fashionable resorts, during the seasons, where he might meet with his

old friends; and sometimes sought them in the metropolis, where he

occasionally paid his respects at the Admiralty.

His heroic mind, no doubt, amidst the calm of peace, prepared for the

storm of war; and, though he disdained not the culture of the

ploughshare, he looked forward to the day when it would become

necessary to exchange it for the sword. He was particularly fond of

geographical studies: few men were so well acquainted with maps and

charts; and his accurate eye frequently traced with eagerness the

various parts of the globe which he had passed with difficulty or

delight, and the spots at which he had successfully or unpleasantly

paused.

In the mean time, as he had become an affectionate husband to Dr.

Nesbit's widow, so he proved, in every possible sense, a faithful father

to his child. The youth was carefully educated, with all the advantages

of this great man's excellent directions, and his progress was minutely

inspected by the same truly paternal attention. Being treated, in every

respect, with the most indulgent tenderness, and seeming early to evince

an inclination for the naval service, Captain Nelson, who had no

prospect of issue by his lady, willingly consented to take him, as an

only son, under his own immediate protection.

Doubtless, while the mind of this exalted man was thus innocently and

laudably engaged in attending to the various duties of private life, he

not unfrequently felt disposed to indulge in deep reflections on

numerous noble plans meditated for the future service of his country:

for, in common with almost every gifted possessor of superior genius, he

seems to have constantly borne about him an invincible conviction, that

he should, at some period of his life, be enabled to give the fullest

manifestation of it's presence to an admiring world. As war was his

element, he could have no hope of any opportunity to demonstrate his

wonderful abilities till that national calamity should arrive: and,

though he was much too good and pious a man, to be desirous of war, for

no other purpose than a display of his own skill and valour; he was, at

the same time, far too wise and wary, to imagine that a nation so rich

in commerce as Great Britain, surrounded by artful, envious, and

powerful enemies, would be permitted long to preserve an honourable

state of public tranquillity. He was, therefore, as an individual, ever

prepared for what he naturally expected soon to occur; and he was of

opinion, that the power of the country should be kept in an equal state

of continual readiness.

In the year 1790, when the cruelties exercised by the Spaniards at

Nootka Sound, seemed to have awakened the national vengeance, and an

armament was accordingly ordered to be prepared, he immediately offered

his services at the Admiralty; and is said to have felt not a little

mortified, at finding his application ineffectual. The fact, however,

appears to have been, that offers from commanders of longer standing had

previously been made and accepted for all the ships then meant to be

immediately commissioned. No blame, therefore, could be fairly imputed

to the Admiralty, on the occasion: and, when that business came, soon

afterwards, to be adjusted, and the ships paid off, he had reason to

congratulate himself on not having been put to expences for equipment,

which the advantages of so little actual service were quite inadequate

to repay. This, perhaps, at that period, might be no inconsiderable

consolation.

The sum finally stipulated to be paid by Spain, on this occasion,

besides restoring the vessels unjustly seized, was two hundred and ten

thousand dollars.

After two years more passed in retirement, the French revolutionary war

having extended it's baneful influence to this country, there became an

instant necessity for preparing all the strength of our navy to oppose

it's pernicious tendency. He had now, happily, no difficulty in

obtaining a ship; but, at the very commencement of the war, having made

the usual application, he immediately received a positive promise from

Lord Howe, which was handsomely performed still sooner than he had the

smallest reason to expect.

On the 26th of January 1793, he says, in a letter to his friend Captain

Locker, "Lord Hood tells me, that I am now fixed for the Agamemnon, at

Chatham; and, that whatever men are raised for her will be taken care of

on board the Sandwich."

The name of the ship having been thus fixed for the purpose of his

immediately raising men for sea, he had already sent out a lieutenant

and four midshipmen to get men at every sea-port in Norfolk. He

applied, also, to his friends in Yorkshire, and the north, who promised

to obtain him what hands they could, and deliver them over to the

regulating captains at Whitby and Newcastle. To Captain Locker, he

says--"I hope, if any men in London are inclined to enter for the

Agamemnon, you will not turn your back on them; as, though my bills are

dispersed over this country, &c. I have desired that no bills may be

stuck up in London till my commission is signed."

This was one of his delicate punctilios; for he did not expect that,

from what Lord Howe had written him on the occasion, the ship would have

been actually commissioned till about a fortnight longer.

On the 30th of January, however, being only four days, instead of

fourteen, after the date of the above letter, his commission was

actually signed; and, on the 7th of February, he joined his ship, the

Agamemnon of sixty-four guns, which was then under orders of equipment

for the Mediterranean.

His ship's company was soon raised; chiefly from Norfolk and Suffolk,

and not a few from his own immediate neighbourhood. So universally was

he esteemed, and such was even then the general opinion of his conduct

and abilities, that many gentlemen in the vicinity were desirous of

placing their sons under his command; some of whom, persons of

considerable respectability, solicited and obtained this distinguished

favour: particularly, the Reverend Mr. Bolton, his relation, brother of

Thomas Bolton, Esq. his eldest sister's husband; with the Reverend Mr.

Hoste, and the Reverend Mr. Wetherhead, his intimate friends.

Nor must it be forgotten that, on the very first appearance of actual

service, he had taken his son-in-law, young Josiah Nesbit, from school,

equipped him as a midshipman, and carried him on board the Agamemnon.

There is a curious anecdote related, and that from the very best

authority, respecting one of the young gentlemen thus taken as a

midshipman by Captain Nelson. The father of this youth, though a friend

of Captain Nelson, happened to be a very staunch whig. The youth,

therefore, he apprehended, might possibly require some little

counteraction of the principles of modern whiggism, which he did not

think very conducive to the loyalty and subordination of a young British

sailor. Accordingly, when this youth came on board, he called him into

his cabbin, and immediately addressed him in the most impressive manner,

to the following effect.

"There are three things, young gentleman," said he, "which you are

constantly to bear in mind: first, you must always implicitly obey

orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your own respecting

their propriety; secondly, you must consider every man as your enemy who

speaks ill of your king; and, thirdly, you must hate a Frenchman as you

do the devil."

The youth, who had been thus prepared, always conducted himself with

great propriety; and, it is believed, ever afterwards retained a truly

filial regard for his friendly patron.

Captain Nelson was perfectly indefatigable in getting his ship ready for

sea. In a letter to Captain Locker, written at the Navy Office, the

beginning of February 1793, where his brother Maurice had long held a

situation, after requesting him to discharge Maurice Suckling, and such

men as may be on board the Sandwich, into the Agamemnon, he says--"Pray,

have you got a clerk whom you can recommend? I want one very much, I

urge nothing; I know your willingness to serve. The Duke of Clarence

desires me to say, that he requests you will discharge Joseph King into

the Agamemnon; or, that I am welcome to any other man, to assist me in

fitting out. He is but poorly; but expresses the greatest satisfaction

at the appointment you are likely to succeed to, and in which no one

rejoices more than your affectionate Horatio Nelson."

In another letter to this much honoured and honourable officer, written

at Chatham towards the end of the same month, he congratulates him on

having obtained his appointment, which was that of Lieutenant-Governor

of Greenwich Hospital; from which, he hopes, his friend will derive

every comfort: and tells him, that he need not hurry himself about the

charts, as he shall certainly see him before he sails.

It was not, in fact, till about the middle of May, that the Agamemnon,

in company with the Robust of seventy-four guns, Captain the Honourable

George Keith Elphinstone, proceeded to it's station in the

Mediterranean, under the command of Lord Hood; who followed, a few days

after, with the rest of his fleet, from Plymouth, on the 22d of that

month.

About the beginning of June, he went with six sail of the line to Cadiz,

where they took in water. They also took in some wine: for he tells his

worthy old friend, Captain Locker, that he has got him a cask of, he

hopes, good sherry; which he shall take an early opportunity of sending

home, and begs him to accept as a proof of his remembrance. He observes,

that they have done nothing; and, that the same prospect appears before

them: for, the French would not come out, and they had no means of

getting at them in Toulon. Lord Hood was to be joined, off Barcelona, by

twenty-one Spanish ships of the line: "but," adds he, "if they are no

better manned than those at Cadiz, much service cannot be expected of

them; though, as to ships, I never saw finer men of war."

It was on the occasion above alluded to, when Captain Nelson put into

Cadiz to water, that he exclaimed, at the moment of first beholding the

Spanish fleet--"These ships are, certainly, the finest in the world:

thank God, the Spaniards cannot build men!"

Early in August, Lord Hood went with the fleet to remonstrate with the

Genoese respecting their supply of corn to the French, and bringing back

French property under neutral papers: a practice which Captain Nelson,

who was then off Toulon, justly observed, rendered the station there a

mere farce, if such trade should continue to be allowed.

On the 20th of this month, writing to Captain Locker, he observes that

the Agamemnon sails well, and is healthy; but, that he wants to get into

port for refreshment. He says that, by all the accounts, the district of

Provence would gladly become a separate republic under the protection of

England; and, that the people of Marseilles declared they would

willingly destroy Toulon to accomplish this measure.

There seems, at the time of his thus writing, to have been a positive

proposal to this effect then under the consideration of the commander in

chief: for, on the 23d of August, only three days after, did Admiral

Lord Hood publish his celebrated preliminary declaration to the

inhabitants of Toulon, as well as his proclamation to the inhabitants of

the towns and provinces in the south of France, which ended in his

taking a provisional possession of Toulon, with all the ships of war in

the harbour, &c. on the 28th of the same month.

Captain Nelson, however, was not present during the period of this

negociation, or the subsequent taking possession of Toulon; having been

previously charged with dispatches from Lord Hood, dated off Toulon, the

17th of August 1793, and addressed to Sir William Hamilton, Knight of

the Bath, his Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister

Plenipotentiary at the Court of Naples.

It should seem that he had, also, some intermediate orders to execute;

for, on his passage to Naples, he met with Lord Hugh Conway, at sea, who

had left Toulon in the possession of Lord Hood, and sent Sir William

Hamilton a letter to that effect, dated the 31st of the same month.

There was, evidently, more to be transacted at the court of Naples, than

a mere delivery of these dispatches from Lord Hood, or Captain Nelson

would scarcely have been selected for the business. He went, no doubt,

with confidential communications from the commander in chief to the

British minister plenipotentiary, and objects of discretional discussion

for mutual consideration, which were not possible to be transacted in

writing, and consequently required the talents and address judiciously

employed on the occasion. Lord Hood was no stranger to the superlative

ability which he possessed for negotiation; and how much more rarely

that quality is to be found in British naval officers, than the natural

bravery which seems common to all, or even the great nautical skill

which may justly be boasted by most of them.

It was not till the 11th of September, that Captain Nelson arrived, in

the Agamemnon, at Naples; and so effectually did he accomplish the

objects of his mission, that Sir William Hamilton, who immediately

communicated the intelligence of Toulon's being in possession of Lord

Hood to General Acton, procured two thousand of his Sicilian majesty's

best troops to be embarked, the 16th, on board two line of battle ships,

two frigates, two corvettes, and one Neapolitan transport vessel.

The next day, September 17, Sir William Hamilton sent intelligence of

the above particulars to England, which appeared in the London Gazette,

dated Whitehall, October 12, 1793: where it is added, that a Spanish

frigate, returning to Toulon, had likewise taken some Neapolitan troops

on board; that three more battalions were that night to embark at Gaeta,

on board of two Neapolitan frigates, two brigantines, and nine large

polacres; that, in a week or ten days, the Neapolitan government were to

send off to Toulon the remaining ships, and two thousand more men, with

thirty-two pieces of regimental artillery, and plenty of provisions; and

that, should the wind remain as it then was, these succours might reach

Toulon in five days, or sooner.

In the mean time, Captain Nelson had been introduced to the King and

Queen of Naples, from whom he met with a most cordial and gracious

reception: nor must his singular previous introduction, by Sir William,

to Lady Hamilton, be passed over, without particular notice; on the

result of which, so much of the felicity of this exalted hero's future

life seems evidently to have in a superlative degree depended.

On Sir William Hamilton's returning home, after having first beheld

Captain Nelson, he told his lady that he was about to introduce a little

man to her acquaintance, who could not boast of being very handsome:

"but," added Sir William, "this man, who is an English naval officer,

Captain Nelson, will become the greatest man that ever England produced.

I know it, from the few words of conversation I have already had with

him. I pronounce, that he will one day astonish the world. I have never

entertained any officer at my house, but I am determined to bring him

here. Let him be put in the room prepared for Prince Augustus."

Captain Nelson was, accordingly, introduced to her ladyship; and resided

with Sir William Hamilton during his short stay at Naples: and thus

commenced that fervid friendship between the parties, which continued to

glow, with apparently increasing ardour, to the last moment of their

respective existences whom it has been Lady Hamilton's severe lot to

survive.

The introductory compliment which had been paid by Sir William Hamilton,

to Captain Nelson's transcendent abilities, was not ill requited by one

of the latter's first salutations of the worthy envoy--"Sir William,"

said he, in consequence of the dispatch made use of in obtaining the

Neapolitan troops, "you are a man after my own heart: you do business in

my own way! I am, now, only a captain; but I will, if I live, be at the

top of the tree."

These reciprocal good opinions of each other, which form the basis of

all substantial friendships, could not fail to unite such excellent and

enlightened minds in a sincere amity. It can never appear wonderful,

then, that Lady Hamilton, herself a person of very considerable talents,

and possessing a warm and affectionate heart, naturally attached to

splendid abilities, should be forcibly struck with the pleasing manners,

extreme goodness and generosity of mind, and evident proofs of

comprehensive intellect, which she continually witnessed in the new

friend of her intelligent husband, during the few days of his

continuance at Naples.

The frank and friendly attentions of her ladyship, at the same time, it

must necessarily be supposed, made no slight impression on the

susceptible bosom of Captain Nelson; who was charmed with the

characteristic sweetness of disposition which she so fascinatingly

displayed for the promotion of his ease and comforts.

The imperious calls of professional duty soon separated the hero from

his affectionate friends; but they parted not without mutual assurances

of losing no opportunity which might occur of corresponding with or

seeing each other.

It appears, from Lord Hood's dispatches to the Admiralty, that the first

division of the Neapolitan troops disembarked at Toulon on the 28th of

September, under the command of Brigadier General Pignatelli; and that

they were a very fine body of men, in perfect health, and well

appointed. The second division of Neapolitans, consisting of two

thousand men, arrived on the 5th of October; and the last two thousand

were to leave Naples on that very day. His Sicilian majesty, Lord Hood

added, had manifested the greatest readiness and zeal in fulfilling the

treaty; and confided his ships and troops solely to his lordship's

discretion, as that sovereign had made known to him in writing under his

own hand.

Such was the success of Captain Nelson's services at Naples, where the

king and queen treated him with no less attention and regard than Sir

William Hamilton and his lady, and witnessed his departure with similar

regrets.

The Neapolitan troops thus obtained, greatly signalized themselves, on

several occasions, while at Toulon: but Captain Nelson, almost

immediately on his arrival, received orders to join a squadron under

Commodore Linzee; who had been detached by Lord Hood, at the request of

General Paoli, to protect Corsica. He could, therefore, scarcely be said

to have at all participated in the occurrences which took place at

Toulon, farther than in thus procuring military aids.

Captain Nelson, indeed, appears to have had little concern with this

unfortunate business: not the less so, perhaps, on that very account.

Notwithstanding all the blood and treasure which this expedition cost

Great Britain, on Toulon's being evacuated the 19th of December

following, Lord Hood was only able to carry away three ships of the line

and five frigates; after burning there nine ships of the line, and one

at Leghorn.

About the period of these transactions, Captain Nelson was with

Commodore Linzee, at Tunis, negotiating for a French convoy under an

eighty-gun ship and a corvette. The English, however, he observed, never

yet succeeded in a negotiation against the French. "We have not," says

he, in a letter to Captain Locker, dated off Sardinia, December 1, 1793,

"contradicted our practice at Tunis, for the Monsieurs have completely

upset us with the bey; and, had we latterly attempted to take them, I am

certain he would have declared against us, and done our trade some

damage."

In this letter he also mentions, that Lord Hood has, in a very handsome

letter, ordered him from Commodore Linzee's command, to take the command

of a squadron of frigates off Corsica and the adjoining shore of Italy,

to look out for some French frigates which were in St. Fiorenzo in

Corsica. With these frigates, it seems, Captain Nelson had, joined with

one or two others, what he calls "a little brush," in the preceding

October. He observes that, if they are active, they may do our trade

some mischief: "but," adds he, "to say the truth, I believe that they

are more inclined to be passive; at least, they had much of that

inclination when I saw them."

At this time, he does not appear to have thought Toulon in much danger;

and, at all events, was persuaded that the French fleet and arsenal

might be destroyed. Some of the ships, he remarked, were the finest he

ever beheld. The Commerce de Marseilles, in particular, he says, had

seventeen ports on each deck, and our Victory looked nothing to it.

Their friend, Sir Charles Pole, he observes, is gone to the West Indies,

which was a thing that officer dreaded: had himself been at Toulon, he

would have been a candidate for this service; for, he thought our sea

war was over in the Mediterranean. He admits, however, that the

Agamemnon has had it's share of service; having had the anchor down but

thirty-four times since sailing from the Nore, and then only to get

water or provisions. He says that, having then upwards of one hundred of

his ship's company absent, they are not much better than a fifty gun

ship. To another friend, however, he jocosely observed, on this

occasion, that those he had were chiefly Norfolk men, and he always

reckoned them as good as two others.

In the warmth of gratitude, he asserts that Lord Hood is a very good

friend to him; and is, certainly, the best officer he ever saw: every

thing from him being so clear, that it is impossible to misunderstand

him.

All this day, the 1st of December, he observes, he has been in sight of

the French squadron; which, he hears, has been joined by a frigate from

Calvi. He misses, however, the frigate which had received most of his

fire; and adds, that there are not wanting those who declare that they

beheld it sink.

With these frigates, on the coast of Corsica, Captain Nelson may be said

to have commenced his career as commander of a squadron; and such was

his activity, skill, and bravery, that they were perpetually engaged

against the enemy. It would be difficult, perhaps impossible, to trace

every single transaction which occurred during the time which he held

this command. His services were, occasionally, exerted at land as well

as sea; and such was his dexterity in getting out guns, erecting

batteries, and assisting the reduction of fortresses, that much of our

success in gaining possession of that island was generally ascribed to

his ability.

On the 10th of February 1794, the tower and garrison of Mortella

surrendered; and the strong redoubt and batteries of the Convention were

taken by storm on the 17th, after a severe cannonading of two days. The

enemy abandoned, that same night, the tower of Forneli, and two

considerable sea-batteries dependent on it.

On the 19th, they retreated from St. Fiorenzo to Bastia; having

previously sunk one of their frigates, and burnt another in the gulph:

and the town, forts, and port of St. Fiorenzo, were taken possession of,

the same day, by his majesty's land and sea forces. The frigate which

had been sunk was afterwards weighed, and taken into our service under

the name of the St. Fiorenzo.

At the siege of Bastia, whither the enemy were followed, and which

commenced the beginning of April, Captain Nelson bore a most conspicuous

share; exerting himself with a vigour, alacrity, and judgment, which

obtained universal admiration. It has been said, and re-echoed, that

ample testimony was, on this occasion, given to his skill and

unremitting exertions; but, it may safely be asserted, he never thought

so.

Lord Hood, it is true, makes respectful mention of his services; it

would be extremely wonderful if he did not, when it is considered that

he was the principal naval officer actively employed there, and yet

served, with the most indefatigable perseverance, nearly two months on

land. What follows, however, is all that appears in his lordship's

dispatches relative to Captain Nelson, which few will think too

much--"Captain Nelson, of his majesty's ship Agamemnon, who had the

command and direction of the seamen, in landing the guns, mortars, and

stores, and Captain Hunt, who commanded at the batteries, very ably

assisted by Captain Buller and Captain Serecold, and the Lieutenants

Gore, Hotham, Stiles, Andrews, and Brisbane, have an equal claim to, my

gratitude; as the seamen, under their management, worked the guns with

great judgment and alacrity. Never was a higher spirit, or greater

perseverance exhibited; and I am happy to say, that no other contention

was at any time known, than who should be most forward and indefatigable

for promoting his majesty's service; for, although the difficulties they

had to struggle with were many and various, the perfect harmony and good

humour that universally prevailed throughout the siege overcame them

all."

This, certainly, is no singular praise of Captain Nelson; who, it is

well known, greatly signalized himself on the occasion.

In the very next paragraph of the same Gazette, Lord Hood says--"I

cannot but express, in the strongest terms, the meritorious conduct of

Captain Duncan and Lieutenant Alexander Duncan, of the Royal Artillery,

and Lieutenant De Butts, of the Royal Engineers: but my obligation is

particularly great to Captain Duncan, as more zeal, ability, and

judgment, was never shewn by any officer than were displayed by him; and

I take the liberty of mentioning him as an officer highly entitled to

his majesty's notice."

Such superior praise and recommendation of a military officer, however

deserving, by the naval commander in chief, could not be very pleasing

to Captain Nelson; who felt conscious of having merited at least equal

attention, by ably performing more than could be in any way considered

as his actual duty.

The slight sketch modestly given of this affair, by himself, in a

letter to Captain Locker, will afford some idea of it's importance. It

is dated, at Bastia, May 30, 1794, on board the Agamemnon: and states,

that he has just got on board, after eight weeks service on shore;

where, he trusts, he has acquitted himself in a manner his friends will

be pleased with. The more he saw of this place, the more he was

astonished at it's being given up: but, the truth was, that the

different parties were afraid to trust each other; the surrender could

be justified on no other ground.

The frigates formerly mentioned had now, most of them, fallen into his

hands; for he mentions that he has then on board the Agamemnon two

captains, twenty-four other officers, and three hundred seamen, of the

ships he fell in with the preceding October. The officers abused the

crews; the people, their officers: all joined against their commodore,

for not coming down to the British ships after they were crippled. Not

that Captain Nelson had any idea they could have taken his ships; but,

he admitted that they certainly behaved shamefully ill. The Fortunée was

burned, the Minerve and Le Fleche taken: the Melpomene got to Calvi; and

would, he trusted, fall into his hands.

He adds, that they are now taking on board shot, powder, &c. for Calvi;

which, though very strongly situated, he thinks will soon fall.

Agamemnon is then to go to Gibraltar, for something like a refitment,

having been without the slightest repair, in hull or rigging, sixteen

months. He describes Bastia as most pleasantly situated; containing

fourteen thousand inhabitants, and being capable of holding twenty

thousand. A few hours, he says, will carr parties to Italy: and

observes that, if the Corsicans knew their own interest, they would be

happy with us; but, that they cannot bear dependance.

This opinion of Captain Nelson's, respecting the disposition of the

Corsicans, is a fresh proof of his acute discernment, and was abundantly

confirmed by the event.

It having been agreed, by the two commanders in chief, Lord Hood and

Lieutenant-General the Honourable Charles Stuart, that the utmost

dispatch was necessary, in order to enable the troops selected for the

siege of Calvi to begin their operations before the commencement of the

unhealthy season, every effort was used to forward the necessary

preparations; and so effectual were the exertions of the different

departments, that the regiments embarked at Bastia in the course of a

very few days. Captain Nelson, accordingly, who had been detached on the

9th of June, by Lord Hood, from the fleet off Mortella Bay, to take the

charge of these embarkations, in his lordship's absence, agreed that

they should proceed to Port Agra, where a landing was effected on the

19th of the same month; and, on that very day, the army encamped, in a

strong position, on the Serra del Cappucine, a ridge of mountains three

miles distant from the town of Calvi.

From many of the out-posts, and particularly from those which the

friendly Corsicans were ordered to occupy, it was distinctly

discoverable that the town of Calvi was strong in point of situation,

well fortified, and amply supplied with heavy artillery. The exterior

defences, on which the enemy had bestowed a considerable labour,

consisted in the bomb-proof Stone Star Fort Mozello, mounting ten pieces

of ordnance, with a battery of six guns on it's right, flanked by a

small entrenchment. In the rear of this line, which covered the town to

the westward, was placed, on a rocky hill to the east, a battery of

three guns. Considerably advanced on the plain to the south-west, the

Fort Mollinochesco, on a steep rock, commanded the communication between

Calvi and the province of Balagori; supported by two frigates, moored in

the bay, for the purpose of raking the intermediate country. The

principal difficulties, however, in approaching the enemy's works, did

not so much arise from the strength of the defences, as from the height

of the mountains and rugged rocky surface of the country it was

necessary to penetrate; and so considerable were these obstacles,

against the usual mode of attack, that it was judged expedient to adopt

rapid and forward movements, instead of regular approaches.

In conformity to this plan of proceeding, the seamen and soldiers were

laboriously employed in making roads; dragging guns to the tops of the

mountains; and collecting military stores, for the purpose of erecting

two mortar and four separate gun batteries, on the same night. One of

these was intended against the Mollinochesco; the second, to be

constructed on rocks, to cover the principal one, of six guns; which, by

a sudden march, and the exertions of the whole army, was to be erected

within seven hundred and fifty yards of the Mozello.