Live Auction 7180Autograph Letters and Modern First Editions
Lot 101

HORATIO, VISCOUNT NELSON (1758-1805)

Price Realised

GBP 1,265

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HORATIO, VISCOUNT NELSON (1758-1805)
A 3-page autograph letter, signed: "Nelson & Bronte," to Dr. Sewell, from: "Victory," 28 March 1805, replying to a letter, and commenting on the regulations for the distribution of prize money, assuring him that the regularity of the proceedings at Malta appears to preclude any reversion of the sentence pronounced by Sewell: "such conduct by preventing hasty distribution will save many a Captain from utter Ruin but our Seamen call every vessel stopped a prize and the tardy distribution creates murmurs and discontent;" continuing that his hopes of sending the French fleet: "for condamnation" are diminishing although it is still possible it may arrive before April is over: "after when some other Admiral must have that great Felicity," and then concluding by announcing his appointment of Mr. Wilkie as agent for all Spanish vessels detained before January 11th (small split in centrefold of 2nd leaf).

Specialist note

Nelson, who had been the victor in his lawsuit with Earl St. Vincent about prize money, had suffered a severe blow when, the previous winter as a result of a precedent established on that occasion, 10,000 from captured Spanish frigates went not to him but to Sir John Orde, newly appointed Commander in Chief of the Cadiz station, on the grounds that Nelson was absent and returning home. His anticipated return to England had in fact been cancelled. When in April 1805 Nelson learned that the French fleet had slipped through the straits of Gibralter, he was becalmed and unable to pursue it until May.