14th December 1804
To Commissioner Otway, Gibraltar
Victory, 14th December 1804
Sir,
Having thought it proper to appoint a Captain and Officers to the Spanish Frigate Amphitrite, I have therefore to request that you will give such directions as may be necessary for surveying her hull, mast and stores ; and you will also be pleased to place her on the same establishment as the Endymion.
I am, Sir, &c.
NELSON AND BRONTE
To Captain Samuel Sutton, H.M. Ship Amphion
Victory, December 14th 1804
My dear Sutton,
The purser of the Niger will be appointed to the Amphion, and will go down the very first opportunity after his survey. I have had a letter from Lieutenant Gates, saying that he wishes to go to England, and that he is a supernumerary Lieutenant on board the Amphion, she being only allowed three in War. If that is so, you may discharge him, writing an account to the Admiralty of your reasons, and directing his attendance at the Admiralty.
For your and Hardy’s sake, I wish you had been more fortunate ; for my own, if you can destroy Privateers and Ships of War, I care not for Prizes. I do not think you will have a Spanish War. I rejoice you like the Amphion ; so do I the Victory. Not a Ship here can beat her in moderate weather. We shall see and feel the French Fleet very soon. I am, dear Sutton, always your obliged and faithful friend.
NELSON AND BRONTE
Notes
Horatio Nelson, The Dispatches and Letters of Vice Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, with Notes, ed. Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas (London: Henry Colburn, 1846), 287
