![NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed (with his left hand, 'Horatio Nelson') to Captain [Ralph Willett] Miller, n.p., 11 December [1797], 2 pages, 4to (of which ½ page (11 lines) and a three line postscript are in autograph and the remainder dictated by Nelson and in the hand of Lady Nelson), integral address leaf ('Captain Miller Theseus Lisbon'), seal, contemporary endorsement (two seal tears in blank margin of 2nd leaf).](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2003/CKS/2003_CKS_06868_0124_000(064750).jpg?w=1)
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NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed (with his left hand, 'Horatio Nelson') to Captain [Ralph Willett] Miller, n.p., 11 December [1797], 2 pages, 4to (of which ½ page (11 lines) and a three line postscript are in autograph and the remainder dictated by Nelson and in the hand of Lady Nelson), integral address leaf ('Captain Miller Theseus Lisbon'), seal, contemporary endorsement (two seal tears in blank margin of 2nd leaf).
Written five months after Nelson lost his right arm in the action at Santa Cruz: 'As I have not the hand of a steady writer my friends must put up (at the best) with short letters and oftner excuse my writing anything'. Nelson gives an account of public reactions to the Battle of Cape St Vincent, pointing out that he and Miller are being given third place of honour after Lord Duncan and Earl St Vincent, 'John Bull does not forget the Captain on the 14th feb[rua]ry' relating praise at the London Tavern and the Guildhall, 'and had our battle been in the Channel it would have been so much the better for us'. The continuation, in Frances Nelson's hand, announces that Nelson is to have the Vanguard shortly, and hopes to join Lord St Vincent.
The letter is dated two days before Nelson was declared fit for service again by the Navy doctors. Captain Miller served with Nelson on the Captain and later at the Battle of the Nile.
Written five months after Nelson lost his right arm in the action at Santa Cruz: 'As I have not the hand of a steady writer my friends must put up (at the best) with short letters and oftner excuse my writing anything'. Nelson gives an account of public reactions to the Battle of Cape St Vincent, pointing out that he and Miller are being given third place of honour after Lord Duncan and Earl St Vincent, 'John Bull does not forget the Captain on the 14th feb[rua]ry' relating praise at the London Tavern and the Guildhall, 'and had our battle been in the Channel it would have been so much the better for us'. The continuation, in Frances Nelson's hand, announces that Nelson is to have the Vanguard shortly, and hopes to join Lord St Vincent.
The letter is dated two days before Nelson was declared fit for service again by the Navy doctors. Captain Miller served with Nelson on the Captain and later at the Battle of the Nile.
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