7-2

LETTERS.

[1783.

from you lately, and that you were in good health, which, beassured, gave me great pleasure. The Fleet fell in with CharlesPole, but I was in chase, and could not see him. I had aletter from him ten days ago by a Ship who parted from hisSquadron, for he is quite a Commodore here. He has beenpretty successful since he came upon this Station, and will bevery much so, if a Neutral, which he sent in, is given to him.She is condemned in Jamaica , but they have appealed, and inEngland we are afraid of the cursed Neutral flag.

My situation in Lord Hood’s Fleet must be in the highestdegree flattering to any young man. He treats me as if I was hisson, and will, I am convinced, give me anything I can ask of him:nor is my situation with Prince William less flattering. LordHood was so kind as to tell him (indeed I cannot make use ofexpressions strong enough to describe what I felt), that if hewdshed to ask questions relative to Naval Tactics, I could givehim as much information as any Officer in the Fleet . He willbe, I am certain, an ornament to our Service. He is a seaman,which you could hardly suppose. Every other qualificationyou may expect from him. But he will be a disciplinarian,and a strong one: he says he is determined every person shallserve his time before they shall be provided for, as he isobliged to serve his. A vast deal .of notice has been taken ofhim at Jamaica : he has been Addressed by the Council, andthe House of Assembly were to address him the day after Isailed. He has his Levees at Spanish Town: they are allhighly delighted with him. With the best temper, and greatgood sense, he cannot fail of being pleasing to every one.

But I must say God bless you, for the Endymion’s boat isjust coming on board, who is Convoy to the Packet: they sailedseven days before us from Port-Royal. You will rememberme kindly to all my acquaintance and friends that you meetwith. Farewell my good Sir, and assure yourself I am, andalways shall be,

Your most affectionate Friend and Servant ,

Horatio Nelson .

If I get safe back to Port-Royal (which is a matter of greatdoubt to me), I shall get a cask of the best rum on board foryou, when you write, which I hope will have been long before