sume her name will be found on the said list, as I omitted to call for it from Mr. Thomson. I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN THE HON. HENRY BLACKWOOD, H. M. SHIP EURYALUS. [From "Blackwood's Magazine" for July, 1833.] My dear Sir, Victory, October 4th, 1805, Cadiz, East 17 leagues. I have received from Rear-Admiral Louis, your information respecting the intended movements of the Enemy, which strengthens my conviction that you estimate, as I do, the importance of not letting these rogues escape us without a fair fight, which I pant for by day, and dream of by night. I am momentarily expecting the Phoebe, Sirius, Naiad, and Niger, from Gibraltar; two of them shall be with you directly as I get hold of them; and if you meet them, and there is any way of sending information and their dispatches from Gibraltar, keep Naiad and Phoebe. Juno is a fixture between Cape Spartel and Gibraltar; Mars, Colossus, and Defence, will be stationed four leagues East from the Fleet, and one of them advanced to the East towards Cadiz, and as near as possible in the latitude. The Fleet will be from sixteen to eighteen leagues West of Cadiz; therefore, if you throw a Frigate West from you, most probably, in fine weather, we shall communicate daily. In fresh breezes Easterly, I shall work up for Cadiz, never getting to the Northward of it; and in the event of hearing they are standing out of Cadiz, I shall carry a press of sail to the Southward towards Cape Spartel and Arrache, so that you will always know where to find me. I am writing out regular instructions for the Frigates under your orders, but I am confident you will not let these gentry slip through our fingers, and then we shall give a good account of them, although they may be very superior in numbers. The Royal Sovereign and Defiance were to sail after the 24th. Belleisle, too, is ordered here. I send you two papers; I stole them for you.-Ever, my dear Blackwood, most faithfully your friend, NELSON AND BRONTE. Sir, TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original in the Admiralty.] Victory, off Cadiz, 4th October, 1805. I have this day received your letter of the 18th ult., acquainting me that the money which was intended to be sent out in the Renommée and Melpomené is ordered to be divided amongst the Ships named in the margin', and signifying to me their Lordships' direction to cause it to be forwarded to the place of its destination. In answer thereto you will please to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that due attention shall be paid to their instructions on this subject, and that the money on board the two Ships of the Line shall be sent to Malta as soon as a Frigate can be spared for that service. At present there are only three, instead of eight Frigates with the Fleet, the others not having joined. I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [Original in the Admiralty.] Victory, off Cadiz, 4th October, 1805. Sir, By the Entreprenante Cutter, which joined the Fleet this day from Portsmouth, I have received your letter of the 16th ult., acquainting me that a detachment of Royal Marine Artillery was to be sent out to the Mediterranean by the first opportunity, to serve on board the Thunder Bomb, in room of the detachment of Royal Artillery; and you will be pleased to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that I shall give the necessary directions for the Royal Marine Artillery being embarked on board the Thunder Bomb on their arrival, and that her detachment of Royal Artillery is already landed at Gibraltar; and I have to beg 7 Royal Sovereign, Defiance, Renommée. that a detachment of Royal Marine Artillery may likewise be sent out to the Ætna Bomb as early as possible. I am, Sir, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. P.S.-I have taken the Entreprenante under my command, agreeably to their Lordships' order of the 16th ult. TO LORD BARHAM, FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY. [From Clarke and M‘Arthur, vol. ii. p. 431.] 5th October, 1805. My dear Lord, 1 The French and Spanish Ships have taken the Troops on board, which had been landed on their arrival, and it is said that they mean to sail the first fresh Levant wind; and as the Carthagena Ships are ready, and when seen a few days ago, had their topsail-yards hoisted up, it looks like a junction. The position I have taken for this month is from sixteen to eighteen leagues West of Cadiz; for although it is most desirable that the Fleet should be well up in the Easterly winds, yet I must guard against being caught with a Westerly wind near Cadiz, as a Fleet of Ships with so many Three-deckers would inevitably be forced into the Straits, and then Cadiz would be perfectly free for the Enemy to come out with a Westerly wind, as they served Lord Keith in the late War. I am most anxious for the arrival of Frigates; less than eight, with the Brigs, &c. as we settled, I find are absolutely inadequate for this service, and to be with the Fleet, and Capes Spartel, Cantin, or Blanco, and the Salvages, must be watched by fast-sailing Vessels, in case any Squadron should escape. I have been obliged to send six Sail of the Line to water and get stores at Tetuan and Gibraltar, for if I did not begin, I should be very soon obliged to take the whole Fleet into the Straits. I have twentythree Sail with me, and should they come out I shall immediately bring them to Battle. But although I should not doubt of spoiling any voyage they may attempt, yet I hope for the arrival of the Ships from England, that as an Enemy's Fleet they may be annihilated. Your Lordship may rely upon every exertion. I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 431.] 5th October, 1805. I have only two Frigates to watch them, and not one with the Fleet. I am most exceedingly anxious for more eyes, and hope the Admiralty are hastening them to me. The last Fleet was lost to me for want of Frigates; God forbid this should. I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO CAPTAIN BLACKWOOD. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 431.] 5th October, 1805. Perhaps with an Easterly wind you could anchor a Frigate between Cadiz and the Pedro shoals, taking care that she did not anchor until two hours after dark, and that she weighed two hours before day. I am, &c., NELSON AND Bronte. TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY. [From Clarke and M'Arthur, vol. ii. p. 432.] [About the 5th October, 1805.] I am sorry ever to trouble their Lordships with anything like a complaint of a want of Frigates and Sloops; but if the different services require them, and I have them not, those services must be neglected to be performed. I am taking all Frigates about me I possibly can; for if I were an Angel, and attending to all the other points of my Command, let the Enemy escape for want of the eyes of the Fleet, I should consider myself as most highly reprehensible. Never less than eight Frigates, and three good fast-sailing Brigs, should always be with the Fleet to watch Cadiz; and to carry Transports in and out to refit it, would take at least ten and four Brigs, to do that service well. At present I have only been able to collect two, which makes me very uneasy. I am, &c., NELSON AND BRONTE. TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD. [Antograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham Collingwood.] Victory, October 5th, 1805. My dear Coll., Britannia, Temeraire, Achille, Bellerophon, Polyphemus, and Donegal are the next Ships for Gibraltar and Tetuan. The first I shall strip of her water, but I must have an Admiral with the Squadron: therefore dispose of the water in the Ships of your Division as you please. I intend one for each Division. Anything else she may have, dispose of it as to you seems best. They have not joined, and I may be premature in my wishes about them. I will lay-to, but make one of your Ships take the Transport in tow, and send Officers and men to clear her; and these fine nights they can work as well as the day. Louis will be a good look-out Squadron for us whilst this Easterly wind lasts, and I have sent Pickle to Blackwood off Cadiz, until I get more Frigates. I send you the last papers. Ever yours faithfully, TO VICE-ADMIRAL COLLINGWOOD. [Autograph in the possession of the Hon. Mrs. Newnham Collingwood.] My dear Coll., October 5th, 1805. I send you my first letter, as it mentions the Ships going to Gibraltar, but there seems wine enough and more than enough for the whole Fleet; and as the Transports have stores in, which you sent for, do you call the Ships about you, and make the arrangements. If it comes on to blow fresh I |