instructions, which I trust will be soon. The Armistice, except their Ships being absolutely hauled out, has been totally disregarded. Ships have been masted, guns taken on board, Floating batteries prepared; in short, everything is doing, as my reporters say, in defiance of the Treaty, except hauling out, and completing their rigging. The moment I receive information, that peace is made with Russia, I shall go over the Grounds, and anchor in Copenhagen Roads, ready to act as circumstances may require, and their Lordships may direct, leaving eight Sail of the Line to watch the Swedes. I think it proper to send the Pylades immediately on receiving the above intelligence; otherwise I should not have sent her until a Vessel had arrived from Petersburgh, which I have now reason to expect every day, as Lord St. Helens has three small Vessels with him, besides the Latona. I am, &c., Nelson and Bronte. TO ADMIRAL THE EARL OF ST. VINCENT, K.B. [From Clarke and M‘Arthur, vol. ii. p. 287.] 12th June, 1801. I feel truly thankful, my dear Lord, for your complying with my request; and your very kind way of relieving me, and seeing the Fleet resigned into such good hands, really has set me up. I shall give my friend Charles Pole every information in my power. June 14th. Kioge Bay. I hope the reply of the Admiralty to my letter of this day, will be clear and explicit, whether the Commander-in-Chief is at liberty to hold the language becoming a British Admiral? which very probably, if I am here, will break the Armistice, and set Copenhagen in a blaze. I see everything which is dirty and mean going on, and the Prince Royal at the head of it; but your astonishment will cease, when I assure [you] that a French Republican Officer, in his uniform, feathers, &c., is always 3 Afterwards Admiral Sir Charles Morice Pole, Bart. and G.C.B.; he was one of Nelson's early friends, (vide vol. i. pp. 37, 38, et passim,) and died, Admiral of the Fleet, in September 1830. with his Royal Highness. The measure is so indelicate towards England, that you will not be surprised, if everything which is sacred amongst Nations of Honour should be broken. The Armistice, except their Ships being absolutely hauled out, has been totally disregarded. Ships have been masted, guns taken on board, Floating batteries prepared; and except hauling out and completing their rigging, everything has been done in defiance of the Treaty. I do not, under our present circumstances, feel myself at liberty to pass over the Grounds with a part of the Fleet; but the moment I receive an assurance that the business of Russia is settled, I shall pass into Copenhagen Roads with all the Fleet, except eight Sail of the Line to watch the Swedes until they are settled. My heart burns, my dear Lord, at seeing the word of a Prince, nearly allied to our good King, so falsified; but his conduct is such, that he will lose his Kingdom if he goes on, for Jacobins rule in Denmark. I have made no representations yet, as it would be useless to do so until I have the power of correction. All I beg in the name of the future Commander-in-Chief is, that the orders may be clear; for enough is done to break twenty Treaties, if it should be wished, or to make the Prince Royal, and his Republican companion, humble themselves before. British generosity. I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO EVAN NEPEAN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Letter-Book. "The St. George made her last cruise, with Lord Nelson's Flag on board, off Bornholm, between the 9th and 13th of June, on which latter day he received the sanction of the Admiralty for his return to England, and the instructions of his Majesty George III. to invest Rear-Admiral Graves with the Order of the Bath. This ceremony was performed, with all the possible dignity, on the 14th of June, on the quarter-deck of the St. George, Lord Nelson laying the sword on the Rear-Admiral's shoulder in the name of the King; he accompanied this by a very dignified and animated speech: never was Knight more honourably invested. Sir Charles Morice Pole arrived a few days afterwards in the Æolus frigate, and received the chief command. Lord Nelson's resignation was attended with infinite regret to the whole Fleet, and there was a complete depression of spirits upon the occasion."-Colonel Stewart's Narrative.] Sir, St. George, Kioge Bay, 13th June, 1801. I am to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st May, signifying to me their Lordships' permission for my return to England, for the re-establishment of my health, agreeably to my request, the 17th of last month. I beg you will assure their Lordships, that I feel much flattered by the very handsome manner, in which they have expressed their acquiescence. I have the honour to be, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN SIR EDWARD BERRY, H. M. SHIP RUBY. [Autograph, in the possession of Lady Berry.] My dear Sir Edward, St. George, Kioge Bay, June 15th, 1801. There is a report, and very generally believed, that the embargo on Russian and Danish Ships is taken off: if so, our Ministry must be convinced that all is peace in the North. I have desired twenty Marines to be sent to you, as you are short of complement, and whatever I can do to make your Ruby comfortable, you are sure I shall be happy in doing, for believe me ever, my dear Sir Edward, your obliged and affectionate friend, NELSON AND Bronte. Yesterday I Knighted Sir Thomas Graves, and Invested him with the Ensigns of the Order of the Bath, in the most public and best manner our circumstances would admit of.* 3" TO VICE-ADMIRAL LORD NELSON, K.B. My Lord, "Admiralty Office, 31st May, 1801. "I have received and communicated to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your Lordship's letter of the 17th instant. . . . and I have it in command from their Lordships to acquaint you, in answer thereto, that an arrangement will be made, with as little delay as possible, for relieving your Lordship in your command. "I have their Lordships' further commands to acquaint your Lordship, that your services in the Baltic have met their entire approbation, and to assure you that they feel the greatest concern that the state of your health should render it necessary you should quit the command, by which your Country must be deprived (though it is hoped only for a short time) of the advantage of your Lordship's talents and experience, which have been so conspicuous on all occasions. I have the honour to be, &c.-EVAN NEPEAN."-Original. The following description of the Investiture of Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Graves is taken from the Naval Chronicle, vol. v. p. 532: "His Majesty's Ship St. George, Kioge Bay, June 14th. "A Chair was placed on the gratings of the sky-light, on the quarter-deck, with TO JOHN JULIUS ANGERSTEIN, ESQ., LLOYD'S COFFEE-HOUSE. Sir, [Letter-Book.] St. George, Kioge Bay, 15th June, 1801. I am honoured with the receipt of your letter, and I beg to assure you that your desire shall be strictly complied with. Di the Royal Standard suspended over it, showing the King's Arms; the Chair was covered with the Union Flag; a Guard was ranged on each side the quarter-deck, consisting of the Marines, and a detachment of the Rifle Corps; and the Captains of the Fleet attended in their full-dress uniforms. "The Royal Standard was hoisted the moment of the Procession beginning, which took place in the following order : "Lord Nelson came up the ladder in the fore part of the quarter deck, and made three reverences to the Throne. He then placed himself on the right hand side of it. Captain Parker, bearing the Sword of State (being that which was presented to Lord Nelson by the Captains of His Majesty's Fleet, who fought under his Command at the Battle of the Nile), followed Lord Nelson and placed himself on his right side, a little in advance, making three reverences to the Throne, and one to Lord Nelson. His Lordship's Secretary, Mr. Wallis, then followed, bearing in his hand, on a satin cushion, the Ensigns of the Order, making similar reverences to the Throne, and to Lord Nelson. Captain Parker then read the Duke of Portland's order to Lord Nelson; which ended, Rear-Admiral Graves was introduced between Captains Hardy and Retalick, making three reverences to the Throne and one to Lord Nelson. The Rear-Admiral then kneeled down, and Lord Nelson, in the name of His Majesty, laid the Sword on the shoulders of the Rear-Admiral; the Knight Elect then rose, and, bending his body a little forward, Lord Nelson, with the assistance of Captains Hardy and Retalick, put the Riband over the new Knight's right shoulder, and placed the Star on his left breast. Lord Nelson then said: "Sir Thomas Graves, having fulfilled the commands of His Majesty, in Investing you with the Ensigns of the Most Honourable and Military Order of the Bath, I cannot but express how much I feel gratified that it should have fallen to my lot to be directed to confer this justly merited honour, and special mark of Royal favour upon yon; for I cannot but reflect, that I was an eye witness of your high merit and distinguished gallantry on the memorable 2nd of April, and for which you are now so honourably rewarded. I hope that these Honours conferred upon you will prove to the Officers in the Service, that a strict perseverance in the pursuit of glorious Actions, and the imitation of your brave and laudable conduct, will ever ensure them the favours and reward of our most gracious Sovereign, and the thanks and gratitude of our Country." "The Procession then retired in the same manner it came, except the new Knight, who went first, making one reverence to Lord Nelson, and three to the Throne. The moment the Riband was put over Sir Thomas Graves' shoulder, the signal being made preparative, the whole Fleet fired a Salute of twenty-one guns. When the ceremony was finished, the Standard was hauled down. The Troops and Marines, on hoisting the Standard, presented their arms, and the drums beat a march; the Troops kept their arms presented during the Ceremony, and on the Standard being hauled down, a march was likewise beat." rections have been given to the different Captains under my command to make a true report of the names of every person killed and wounded (with remarks on their wounds) on board their respective Ships in action, off Copenhagen. I feeland I am certain every Officer and man in the Fleet does the same-much indebted to the Gentlemen of the Committee for the attention they pay, and trouble they experience, on this occasion. I hope in a few days to have it in my power to pay my respects personally to them. Believe me, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO ALEXANDER DAVISON, ESQ., ST. JAMES'S SQUARE. [Autograph, in the possession of Colonel Davison.] My dear Davison, St. George, June 15th, 1801. Captain Middleton of the Flora small box for me from Mr. Tyson. Frigate brought home a till my arrival, which, I trust, will be as soon as this letter. The Subscription Book has been sent, and I hope is arrived before this time. Ever yours faithfully, NELSON AND Bronte. The wind is fair for Admiral Pole: he must be here to-day. Secret. They are not Sir Hyde Parker's real friends who wish for an inquiry. His friends in the Fleet wish everything of this Fleet to be forgot, for we all respect and love Sir Hyde; but the dearer his friends, the more uneasy they have been at his idleness, for that is the truth-no criminality. I believe Sir H. P. to be as good a subject as his Majesty has. TO ADJUTANT-GENERAL LINDHOLM. My dear Sir, [Letter-Book.] St. George, in Kioge Bay, June 16th, 1801. I have been favoured with your letter, and shall always feel the most perfect esteem for you, as I am sure you must be the friend of the two Countries-England and Denmark |