HORATIO, VISCOUNT NELSON (1758-1805)

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HORATIO, VISCOUNT NELSON (1758-1805)
One autograph letter and one letter signed to Perkins Magra (British Consul at Tunis), from Palermo, February 1799 and 31 May 1799, the first of 4-pages, acknowledging his correspondent's interesting letters and reports about the situation of the French at La Villette and praising his efforts at Tunis: "Your arduous task in keeping the Bey in good humour and inducing [him] to act with Vigor against the Common Enemy deserves more praise and approbation than in my power to bestow"; referring to the desirability of a truce between the Bey and the King of Sicily and sending an assurance to the Bey that he is the first person to whom Nelson has sent a ship, and with further information on the situation at Palermo (addressed in a different hand at the foot of the second leaf (2 words of salutation faded); the second of 4-pages, giving similar assurance and encouragement, and vigorously defending the conduct of his ships, about which the Bey has complained, and declaring that his squadron has sent no present to the Pasha of Tripoli: "His Highness has been advised by me to think right and to hate the French."

Lot Essay

Nelson enjoins the Consul to impress upon the Bey the danger from the French if they take Sicily, 'The Vesuvius Republic being formed renders the situation of this Island the more dangerous'. Meanwhile Mrs. Magra and her family are at Palermo where 'Lady Hamilton is so good to them that in truth they require nothing from me'. He anticipates the surrender of the Town at Malta, and that his force in Sicily will be strengthened, also that the Portuguese admiral may soon send a representative to Tunis to discuss a truce.

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