LETTERS.
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'ET. 39 .]
nails or screws for that purpose. The nails in the Coffin were likewise made fromthe spikes taken from the mast. A Paper was pasted on the bottom, containing thefollowing Certificate:—“ 1 do hereby certify that every part of this Coffin is madeof the wood and iron of L'Orient, most of which was picked up by his Majesty’sShip , under my command, in the Bay of Aboukir, Swiftsurc, May 23, 1799.—Ben. Hallowell ." 1
This singular present was accompanied by the following Letter, which is takenfrom the original, in the Nelson Papers, a fact it is necessary to state, becauseboth Charuock and Harrison, not contented with destroying its simplicity, alteredthe address to “ Sir,” and changed the date to “ August 1708," to make it appearthat the Coffin was sent immediately after the Battle of the Nile. Though printedcorrectly by Clurke and M'Arthnr, Southey followed the copy given by Cliamockand Harrison. It is greatly to be regretted that Nelson's reply hns not been found:
“ THE XtlGHT HON. LOUD NELSON, K.B.
“ My Lord,
“ Herewith I send you a Coffin made of part of L'Orient's Main mast, that whenyou arc tired of this Life you may be buried in one of your own Trophies—butmay that period be far distant, is the sincere wish of your obedient and milchobliged servant,
“Ben. IIali.owell. *
“ Swiftsure, May 23rd, 1799.”
The astonishment that prevailed among the Crew of the Vanguard, LordNelson's Flag-Ship, when they were convinced it was a Coffin which had beenbrought on board, will be long remembered by their Officers. “ We shall have hotwork of it indeed,” said of one of the Seamen; “you see the Admiral intends tofight till he is killed, and there he is to be buried.” I,ord Nelson highly appreciatedthe present, and for some time had it placed upright, with the lid on, against thebulk-head of his cabin, behind the chair on which he sat at dinner. At length, bythe entreaties of an old servant, he was prevailed on to allow it to be cimriedbelow. When his Lordship left the Vanguard, the Coffin was removed into theFoudroyant, where it remained for many days, on the gratings of the quarter-deck. While his Officers were one day looking at it, lie came out of the cabin:—“ You may look at it, Gentlemen,” said he, “ as long as you please: but, dependon it, none of you shall have it.” 1 It is satisfactory to state that Nelson was actuallyburied in this Coffin .
The following brief notices of the “ Heroes of the Nile,” can scarcely fail to in-terest the public;—
Captain Sib James Saumabez, of the Obion, which Ship he commanded atthe Battle of St. Vincent. He was created a Baronet, and received the Red Ribbonin June 1801; commanded at the Battle of Algesiras, in the July following; wasappointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Sword of Sweden in 1813; andwas elevated to the Peerage, by the title of Lord de Saumarez , in September, 1831.llis Lordship died an Admiral of the Red, and General of Marines , in October 1830.
Captain Thomas Tbouebidoe, of the Culloden, which Ship lie commandedat the Battle of St. Vincent. He received the Cross of Commander of the Order ofSt. Ferdinand and Merit, from the King of Naples; was created a Baronet in