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Details
HORATIO, VISCOUNT NELSON (1758-1805)
Autograph letter signed ('Your much obliged & faithful Humble servant Nelson & Bronte') to Commissioner [Robert] Fanshawe, 'Victory off Toulon', 31 October 1803, 2 pages, 4to (slightly browned, tiny hole in central horizontal fold, professionally strengthened, traces of guard at right edge on verso, integral leaf removed), separate autograph address leaf (seal tears, worn in folds, silked on verso).
A reply to a letter from the Commissioner giving a warm assurance that he will take an early opportunity to promote 'Mr Fanshawe' (presumably his correspondent's son) 'and of doing any thing within my power to mark my high respect and esteem for you', continuing 'I expect the French fleet to put to sea every hour. The event of a battle with such ships as I have the happiness of commanding may be fairly anticipated'. Nelson hopes to send home the Renown in a squadron with the French 74th 'which I am sure will give much satisfaction to her excellent commander.'
Patronage was an essential part of the Royal Naval tradition, and Nelson was 'more likely to give a plum, such as a potentially lucrative cruise, to an officer who was one of his own protégés or the protégé of one of his close friends or colleagues' (Colin White. Nelson. The New Letters (2005), pages 77-78). He received a vast number of letters from friends or colleagues requesting him to look after the interests of their own friends and relatives.
Autograph letter signed ('Your much obliged & faithful Humble servant Nelson & Bronte') to Commissioner [Robert] Fanshawe, 'Victory off Toulon', 31 October 1803, 2 pages, 4to (slightly browned, tiny hole in central horizontal fold, professionally strengthened, traces of guard at right edge on verso, integral leaf removed), separate autograph address leaf (seal tears, worn in folds, silked on verso).
A reply to a letter from the Commissioner giving a warm assurance that he will take an early opportunity to promote 'Mr Fanshawe' (presumably his correspondent's son) 'and of doing any thing within my power to mark my high respect and esteem for you', continuing 'I expect the French fleet to put to sea every hour. The event of a battle with such ships as I have the happiness of commanding may be fairly anticipated'. Nelson hopes to send home the Renown in a squadron with the French 74th 'which I am sure will give much satisfaction to her excellent commander.'
Patronage was an essential part of the Royal Naval tradition, and Nelson was 'more likely to give a plum, such as a potentially lucrative cruise, to an officer who was one of his own protégés or the protégé of one of his close friends or colleagues' (Colin White. Nelson. The New Letters (2005), pages 77-78). He received a vast number of letters from friends or colleagues requesting him to look after the interests of their own friends and relatives.
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