January 1st 1805

To Sir Alexander John Ball, Bart, Malta (Incomplete letter)

1st January 1805

By orders from home, brought out by a Mr. Cartwright, a new consul for Algiers, I am restrained to demanding the crew, cargo and Vessel called Ape; this complied with, all the rest to be sunk in oblivion. 

Lord Camden laments the unhappy situation for these poor men, taken under the former Passports, but it cannot be made a subject of a National demand. Had I known of their Sailing, I would most assuredly have followed your advice, so perfectly coinciding with my feelings. I have sent Keats, who will do everything which is possible, not absolutely to degrade us. We never should have given up the cause of Mr Falcon. 

Mr Cartwright, you will see, for I do not expect that the day Dey will now give up an atom . You will think with me that the two consuls of Tripoli and Algiers might run in a curricle, and perhaps the new Consuls to Tunis might be a spare animal: THE French and Spanish Consuls are very able, both at Tunis and Algiers. 

I fancy my dear Ball, that Captain Shepherd, or any other Captain, would be precisely as tired as old Schomberg, of being cooped up at Malta. I have to thank you for the extract of Colonel Lean’s letter from Algiers. The Bey of Constantinople is certainly beheaded; and I hope the Dey of Algiers is the same before this time. 

As I have an opportunity of writing from Madalena, I shall shorten my letter, as I have many to write, and am anxious not to keep Hirondelle. Gibraltar was to have pratique this day. I shall hardly hear from you again; but may every success attend you, and every comfort which you so eminently deserve, is this sincere wish of, my dear Ball, your most sincere and affectionate friend, 

Nelson and Bronte

Pray forward my letters to the East.