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[ 1782 .
I have wrote almost a sheet of nonsense; but in my great wis-dom I was sent for on shore, and have left it on board: but 1was determined, as I had half an hour on dry land, to makesome use of it. Going well on for a month have I been lay-ing here, and driving from one end of the Downs to the other.Such weather I never saw in my life as has been for thismonth past; nothing but wrecks all over the coast. I am or-dered to Portsmouth with seven East India Ships ; whether Ishall stay to the Westward, or come back to the North Seas ,is quite uncertain. I must finish my letter, for I am disturbedwith a room full of company.
Farewell my dear Brother,
And believe me, affectionately yours,
Love to Mrs. Bolton, Kate, 8 and Mun, and compliments toMiss Beck, and all your Wells’ Club.
TO THE REVEREND MR. NELSON , BURNHAM.
[Autograph, in the Nelson Papers.]
Albemarle, in the Downs, January 28tli, [1782.]
My dear Brother,
I have no doubt but you have scolded me most heartily fornot having wrote before this, but I know after a Storm comesa Calm; so at this time I suppose you quite quiet and easy,not expecting a letter : therefore I am determined you shallhave one. Now I’ll begin excuses. In the first place, you didnot wish me to write till I knew where I was to [be] stationed;that 1 can’t tell you, for I do not know myself. The Admi-ralty, I believe, are asleep, but if I can prognosticate, we are tohave the Downs Station for the present—(a horrid bad one).I am glad you went on shore when you did, or you must havecome to the Downs with us, for we could not send a boat onshore all the next day. At eleven on Monday morning, wesailed with sixty-five Sail, and next day, at noon, was at the
* His youngest sister Katherine, who was born 19th March 1767 : she marriedon the 26th of February 1787, George Matcham of Ashford Lodge, and died 28thMarch 1842, leaving a large family.
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