TO CAPTAIN ROSS DONNELLY, H. M. SHIP NARCISSUS.

[Autograph, in the possession of the late Adam Bromilow, Esq. Sunday, 24th June, about Noon." The French Ships in Toulon fired a salute.”—Victory's Log.]

My dear Sir,

Victory, 27th June, 1804.

I am glad that the Narcissus did not suffer the other day, and I am sure you will do all you can to annoy the Enemy. I really am of opinion that it will force La Touche out, therefore, be prepared to join me. I send the Termagant for her men, and I wish you to send the Childers with Termagant to join me, as I want their services. We have nothing new. When we have, you shall know it. Ever, my dear Sir, yours faithfully,

NELSON AND BRONTE. Compliments to all around you, and may success attend

you!

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD HAWKESBURY.

[Autograph, in the Colonial Office.]

My Lord,

Victory, June 29th, 1804.

my

In letter of May 31st, I acquainted Lord Hobart that I had sent Captain Keats to Algiers, &c., and that the moment he returned I should inform his Lordship of the result of Captain Keats' mission. The Superb returned yesterday; and I transmit your Lordship Captain Keats' very intelligent letters and papers, by which you will see that things at Algiers are better than they were, but not so well as we could wish.

With great deference, from giving the papers all the attention in my power, and from the very intelligent explanations of Captain Keats, I venture to lay my opinion before your Lordship that the Ape, being bonâ fide the property of an English Merchant, and with a cargo belonging to Government, although the Master and crew were actually Neapolitans and Sicilians, must be given up, with her whole crew; for we must never allow the principle of their interpretation of that part of our Treaty, and we are bound in honour not to leave those poor people in slavery. Had the Dey yielded this point, and

granted a further remuneration for a Maltese Vessel which was sold, and the amount paid to the Maltese, although a further sum is demanded, and, I believe, admitted by the Dey's Ministers to be just, I should have had no difficulty in placing a Pro-Consul at Algiers, and left the other points for discussion, or to be given up as his Majesty might think proper to direct.

I am of opinion that the four Vessels recently taken in April 1803, and May the same year, are, although with British Passes, not entitled to any protection from us. Allowing the Dey's to be a legitimate warfare, what would Sir William Scott say to a French Ship, French crew, French cargo, with the Dey's Passport?-Condemn. The other small Vessels, taken four or five years past, are, I believe, hopeless; the crews have been restored; even Mr. Falcon gives them up as a lost case. Therefore, the Dey having for him made fully the amende honorable for his conduct to Mr. Falcon, there is only the Ape and a further remuneration for the Maltese Vessel, which prevents perfect harmony being restored. Mr. McDonough, who has been our Pro-Consul at Tripoli, and who was so good as to attend Captain Keats, is going to England, therefore I shall direct the Vessel which carries him to Gibraltar to put into Algiers, in order that your Lordship may be informed, whether the Dey still continues to refuse our just demand about the Ape, on which, probably, will depend his Majesty sending another Consul to Algiers.

Had all matters been amicably settled, I should have appointed Mr. M'Donough Consul pro tempore, as, from all accounts I have heard of him for several years past at Tripoli, he strikes me as being most perfectly qualified for the office of Consul. I never saw the gentleman, but shall when the weather moderates; I am therefore perfectly disinterested, except for the public good.

The more I hear of Mr. Falcon, the more I have reason to be satisfied of his being a gentleman qualified for a far superior situation to that of Consul at Algiers. Upon the whole, it appears that the mode of conduct which I have pursued towards Algiers, has given them great uneasiness. Not a Cruiser has been at sea this year; and I ought not to conclude my letter without assuring your Lordship that I con

sider Captain Keats' conduct to have been such, through the whole of this very delicate mission, as to merit his being mentioned to the King. I have, &c.

NELSON AND Bronte.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD HAWKESBURY.

My Lord,

[Autograph, in the Colonial Office.]

Victory, June 30th, 1804.

I send your Lordship a translation of the Dey of Algiers' letter to me, and my answer, which I hope your Lordship will approve. Should my reasonable demands be complied with, it is my intention to place Mr. M'Donough in the situation of Consul at Algiers; and from my former knowledge of his abilities, and from the conversation I have held with him this day, I really think him a gentleman every way qualified to be Consul at Algiers, or any other of the Regencies of Barbary. I much wish that Mr. Longford, the Consul sent out to Tripoli, may answer our purpose with the Bashaw of Tripoli; but I more than fear, whatever abilities Mr. L. may possess, that the situation of Consul to a Barbary Power, is not suited to either his abilities or disposition. Your Lordship will be informed that, both in the last and present War, the Bashaw of Tripoli has consented, if it is necessary, in the event of the French getting to Egypt, to allow of our occupying Derne, a most important station, to prevent the French having a communication with Egypt. I have sent Mr. M'Donough in a Sloop of War, with my letter to the Dey of Algiers. If it answers my wishes, Mr. M'Donough will return to me, and I shall send Captain Keats to place him in his Office; if not, he will present your Lordship with this letter. Your Lordship will find him very equal to give you much information. Mr. M'Donough has had no remuneration from me; that I leave to your Lordship's liberality and justice. I have, &c.

NELSON AND BRONTE.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY ADDINGTON.

[Autograph, in the Sidmouth Papers.]

My dear Sir,

Victory, 30th June, 1804.

Friend I may call thee now, without the suspicion of adulation to a Minister; but believe me, that my opinion of your honourable abilities as a Minister, and your constant friendship for me as a man, have ever held the same place in my heart. I feel pride in avowing it, now you are a private gentleman. I will not say too much, because when a change takes place, if honourable men are to take the helm, I am sure amongst the foremost will be placed one Henry Addington, whose sincere friend is ever his attached and obliged, NELSON AND BRONTE. I shall see you before Christmas; for I am almost worn out

and blind.

TO COMMISSIONER OTWAY, GIBRALTAR.

[Letter-Book.]

Victory, at Sea, 30th June, 1804.

Sir,

As many of the Ships in the Squadron are in want of caulking, I am to desire you will be so good as order twenty barrels of pitch, and ten of rosin, to be sent by the first opportunity for the above purpose; but should there not be any rosin in store, you will send thirty barrels of pitch. You will also order the lower masts to be kept in the greatest state of preparation, and a foremast for the Triumph, which ought to have been put in when she was last at Gibraltar. That Ship will be sent to the Rock as soon as circumstances of service will admit. I am, &c.,

NELSON AND Bronte.

TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.

[Letter-Book.]

Sir,

Victory, at Sea, 30th June, 1804.

Commissioner Otway having informed me that by the present plan of having the Mail brought from Lisbon to Faro, by land, the letters become liable to a very heavy postage, and that there are now many letters in the Post-Office, for the Seamen and Petty Officers of the Fleet, unredeemed; I therefore request you will please to communicate to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that from the very high charge of postage from Lisbon, it is impossible that the Seamen and Petty Officers can redeem their letters, and submit to their Lordships the propriety of directing the postage thereof, being paid by Government, as I understand has been done on some former occasions. I am, &c.

NELSON AND Bronte.

TO B. M'DONOUGH, ESQ., BRITISH CONSUL AT ALGIERS.

[From a Copy in the Colonial Office.]

Victory, June 30th, 1804.

Sir,

I beg leave to return you many thanks for your readiness in attending Captain Keats to Algiers, and for your conduct in transacting the business between Captain Keats, the Dey, and his Ministers.

I have now to request your further services, which may prove of great National importance, and in the execution of them, that you will be guided by the instructions transmitted herewith for your guidance. I have not offered you any pecuniary recompence for your services, as I am sure Lord Hawkesbury will have the greatest pleasure in doing the thing in a handsome manner. Accept again, Sir, my sincere thanks, and believe me, &c.

NELSON AND BRONTE.