366

LETTERS.

[1805.

understand, was his Majesty’s pleasure should be given tothe Captors immediately: their Lordships will, therefore, bepleased to adopt such measures as to them may appear properon the occasion. It only remains with me to observe, thatthe Captors have frequently applied to me on this subject. Iam, Sir, &c.

Nelson and Bronte.

TO ADMIRAL LORD RADSTOCK.

[Autograph, in the possession of Rear-Admiral Lord Radstock, C.B.]

Victory, March 1805.

My dear Lord,

I am sorry you should find a difficulty in getting your sonpromoted. If he is to remain a Lieutenant I should ratherrecommend him to be in a more active Ship than this. Pro-motion here, unless from the Admiralty, is out of the question.Was I in this Command seven years, I could not expect to getthrough the Admiralty recommendations which every Shipincreases. ... I must not enter upon the business of Sir JohnOrde’s appointment, but I think whoever has that Commandshould have this. They ought not have been divided, and somuch did I expect Orde to relieve me in toto, that all mythings were sent to the Superb, where they still remain. Iam ever, my dear Lord, yours most faithfully,

Nelson and Bronte.

TO EARL CAMDEN, K.G. , SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE WAR DEPARTMENT .

[Original, in the Colonial Office.]

Victory, March 15th, 1805.

My Lord,

Flattering as are the enclosed letters from their SicilianMajesties, yet I should not do them justice was I not (withoutany consideration for my feelings) to transmit them to yourLordship, and in your wisdom you will, if you think it proper,communicate them to His Majesty. My wretched state ofhealth ought, long since, to have induced me to go to Englandfor its re-establishment: but I could never bring myself to