14th September 1805
TO REAR-ADMIRAL MURRAY.
Portsmouth, September 14th, 1805.
My dear Admiral,
Many thanks for your kind note and haunch of venison. I am this moment getting in the Boat at the Bathing Machines.—May every success attend you, and health, that greatest of blessings. I beg my best respects to Mrs. Murray; and ever, my dear Murray, believe me your most faithful friend,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ., ADMIRALTY.
Victory, at St. Helens, 14th September, 1805.
Sir,
You will please to acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that I arrived at Portsmouth this morning at six o’clock, and hoisted my Flag on board the Victory at this anchorage about noon. The Royal Sovereign, Defiance, and Agamemnon, are not yet ready for sea, so that I must leave them to follow, the moment they are complete. The Ships named in the margin* only accompany me. I am, Sir, &c.,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
*Victory, Euryalus
“September 14. A.M. at 11.30, hoisted the Flag of the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Nelson, K.B. Sunday, 15th; 8 A.M., weighed and made sail to the S.S.E. Euryalus in company.”—Victory’s Log.”
TO WILLIAM MARSDEN, ESQ.
Victory, at St. Helens, 14th September, 1805.
Sir,
Not knowing where His Majesty’s Ships named in the margin* are at present, I beg to transmit orders for their respective Captains, and request you will be so good as forward them as early as possible. Inclosed is a copy of the said Orders and Rendezvous for their Lordships’ information, and also a copy of the Order given to the Captains of His Majesty’s Ships Renommée and Melpoméne, directing them to proceed to Malta with money; agreeably to their Lordships’ instructions, communicated to me in your letter of the 12th instant. The Orders for the Ajax and Thunderer are gone to Plymouth; and those for the Amazon to dock and refit, not knowing when she may arrive, are herewith transmitted. L’Aimable will proceed with the Lisbon Convoy, agreeably to their Lordships’ orders of the 11th and 12th instant, and join me on my Rendezvous the moment the service is performed.
I am, Sir, &c.,
NELSON AND BRONTE.
*Chiffone, Unite, Nautilus, Beagle, Pylades, Moselle, Scout, Merlin, Entreprenante, Pickle.
TO CAPTAIN ROBERT DUDLEY OLIVER, H.M. SHIP MELPOMÉNE.
Victory, at St. Helens, 14th September, 1805.
You are hereby required and directed to complete His Majesty’s Ship under your command with the utmost dispatch for Foreign Service; and the moment that is done, and the Melpoméne in all respects ready for sea, you are to receive the amount of two hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling in dollars on board the said Ship, and instantly proceed and join me on the enclosed Rendezvous in your way to Malta; but should you learn that the Fleet under my command has gone into the Mediterranean, and that it would be taking you out of your way to join me, it is my directions that you proceed direct to Malta; and after having delivered the said money to Sir Alexander Ball, you will return and join me wherever you may learn the Fleet under my command may be.
NELSON AND BRONTE.
N.B.—An order of the same tenor and date given to the Captain of the Renommée.
TO CAPTAIN ……… OF H.M. SHIP………
Victory, St. Helens, 14th September, 1805.
As I am about to proceed from hence down Channel, you are hereby required and directed to join me in His Majesty’s Ship under your command on the enclosed Rendezvous; and I am to desire that every possible exertion is used to get the said Ship in a state for immediate service, with stores and provisions complete to six months, and that you will join me as above directed.
NELSON AND BRONTE.
