9th August 1798
Nelson writing his letters (AI Generated)
To His Excellency The Governor of Bombay.
Vanguard, off the Mouth of the Nile, 9th August 1798
Sir,
Although I hope the consuls who are, or ought to be resident in Egypt, have sent you an express of the situation of the affairs here, yet,as you know Mr Baldwin has some months left in Alexandria, it is possible you may not be regularly informed. I shall, therefore relate to you, briefly, that a French Army of 40,000 men in 300 Transports, with 13 sail of the Line, 11 Frigates, bomb Vessels, Gun-boats. &c. Arrived at Alexandria on the 1st of July: on the 7th, they left for Cairo, where they arrived on the 22nd. During their march they had some action with the Mamelukes, which the French call great victories. As I have Buonaparte’s dispatches before me, (which I took yesterday,) I speak positively: he says'I am now going to send off to take Suez and Damietta;’ he does not speak very favourably of either the Country or people: but there is so much bombast in his letters, that it is difficult to get near the truth; but he does not mention India in this dispatches. He is what is called oranizing the Country, but you may be assured is the master only of what his Army covers.
From all the inquiries which I have been able to make, I cannot learn that any French Vessels are at Suez, to carry any part of this Army to India. Bombay, if they can get there, I know is the first object; but, I trust, Almighty God will in Egypt overthrow these pests of the human race. It has been in my power to prevent 12,000 men leaving Genoa and also to take eleven Sail of the Line, two Fridates; in short, only two Sail of the Line and two Frigates have escaped me. This glorious Battle was fought at the Mouth of the Nile, at anchor: it began at sunset, August the 1st, and was not finished at three the next morning; it has been severe, but God blessed our endeavours with a great victory. I am now at anchour between Alexandria and Rosetta, to prevent their communication by water, and nothing under a Regiment can pass by land. But I should have informed you, that the French have 4000 men posted at Rosetta to keep open the Mouth of the Nile.
Alexandria both Town and Shipping, as so distressed for provisions, which they can only get from the Nile by water, that I cannot guess the good success which may attend my holding our present position, for Buonaparte writes his distress for stores, artillery, things for their hospital, &c. All useful communication is at an end between Alexandria and Cairo : you may be assured I shall remain here as long as possible. Buonaparte had never yet to contend with an English Officer; and I shall endeavor to make him respect us.
This is all I have to communicate. I am confident every precaution will be taken to prevent, in future, any Vessels going to Suez, which may be able to carry troops to India. If my letter is not so correct as might be expected, I trust for your excuse, when I tell you that my brain is so shook with the wounds in my head, that I am sensible I am not always so clear as could be wished; but whilst a ray of reason remains, my heart and my head shall ever be exerted for the benefit of our King and County.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Horatio Nelson
To Lieutenant Duval
Vanguard, In the Road of Bequier, at the Mouth of the Nile, 9th August 1798
Sir,
You are hereby authorized to draw such Bills as you may find necessary from time to time, to provide you with money sufficient to defray all your expenses, in your route, &c., to Bombay, on the East India Company, to whom, I shall write by the earliest opportunity and acquaint them of these my instructions to you, that Bills may be duly honoured.
Horatio Nelson
To His Britannic Majesty’s Consul, Vice-Consuls, and Merchants in their absence-At Alexandretta, and one of the above at Aleppo
Vanguard, In the Road of Bequier, at the Mouth of the Nile, 9th August 1798
Sir,
Having occasion to forward with the utmost haste to India, Lieutenant Duval of the Navy, who will deliver you this, he being in charge of Dispatches of the greatest consequence to our Possessions in that Country, I am to request you will be pleased to furnish him with everything that may be necessary to forward him as fast as possible, particularly with money of the Country, and letters or recommendation on the route; also, a proper person to go with him as is customary in cases of officers and others going overland to India and he will give you Bills on the East India Company. In doing this, you will not only be of infinite service to our Country, particularly the East India Company, but greatly oblige, Sir, &c.
Horatio Nelson
To Earl Spencer
Mouth of the Nile, 9th August, 1798
My Lord,
Was I to die this moment, “Want of Frigates” would be found stamped on my heart. No words of mine can express what I have, and am suffering from want of them. Having only the Mutine Brig, I cannot yet send off Captain Capel, which I am very anxious to do; for as an accident may happen to Captain Berry, it is of some importance, I think, for your lordship to be informed of our success as speedily as possible. If the King of Naples had joined us, nothing at this moment could prevent the destruction of the Store Ships, and the Transports, in the Port of Alexandria; four Bomb-vessels would burn the while in a few hours; but, as I have not means , I can only regret the circumstance.
I send you a pacquet of the intercepted Letters, some of them of great importance; in particular, one from Buonaparte to his brother. He writes such a scrawl, no one not used to it can read; but luckily, we have got a man who has wrote in his Office, to decipher it. Buonaparte has differed with his Generals here; and he did want - and if I understand his meaning, does want, and will strive to be, the Washington of France. “Ma mere” is evidently meant “My Country.”
But I beg pardon : all this is, I have no doubt, well known to Administration. I believe our victory will, in its consequence, destroy this army; at least, my endeavours shall not be wanting. I shall remain here for some time. I have thought it right to send an Officer (By Alexandretta, Aleppo, and Bussarah) over-land to India, with an account of what I have gathered from these Dispatches; which I hope will be approved. I have sent a copy of my Letter to the board of Control, that they may give the necessary directions for paying the Officer’s bills. If it should have gone to the East Indian Company, I hope that Board will forward it. Ever believe me,
Your Lordships most obliged, and obedient Servant,
Horatio Nelson
To The Right Honorable Henry Dundas
Vanguard, Mouth of the Nile, 9th August 1978
Sir,
As President of the Board of Control for India, I have addressed this letter to you; if I ought to have sent it to the India House, I request you will have the goodness to send it to the Chairmen of the Company, and that you will excuse the trouble I have given you. I have thought to right to send an Officer, Lieutenant Duval, (who very handsomely offered his services,) by Alexandretta, Aleppo, and Bussarah, to Bombay, to give all the account I know of the movement of the French Army, and their future intentions Herewith, I send a copy of my Letter, and of the orders I have given him to draw for money on the East India Company &c. If I have done wrong, I hope the bills will be paid, and I will repay the Company; for as an Englishman, I shall be proud that it has been in my power to be the means of putting our Settlements on their guard. Mr Baldwin not having been for some months at Alexandria, has been a great misfortune.
I have the honour to be, &c.
Horatio Nelson
