Lord Barham to [Lord Castlereagh].

Admiralty, October 4, 1805.

My dear Lord-The Admiralty Board are of opinion that the enclosed letters should be sent officially to your lordship, and even mentioned to the King; but I have overruled both opinions, as, I flatter myself, the impossibility of doing anything essential without an army will very soon become manifest, and release us from the anxiety of seeing our bravest men cut to pieces in fruitless attempts.

There seems to me such a want of judgment in our friend Sir Sidney, that it is much safer to employ him under command than in command.

I have never met with two opinions from professional men on the subject of attacking the enemy's vessels while under their batteries. To support this kind of warfare, after the experience we have had, will bring our judgment with the public into disrepute, and end in nothing but disgrace. The vessels employed upon it might be used to much more advantage in protecting our trade to the westward, or in convoying the ships that are intended to make an attempt on the enemy's fleet at Cadiz. In this attempt, the opinions of professional men will accompany you; but in attempting the opposite coast, without an army, you will meet with no support but from projectors. I am, my dear Lord, faithfully yours,

BARHAM.

PS. I beg you will return the official letters, and Lord Keith's.

Lord Castlereagh to Lord Barham.

Secret. Downing Street, October 4, 1805. My dear Lord-As soon as I have seen Sir John Moore, with respect to the present state of the enemy's coast, I shall be very desirous of conferring with your lordship upon it.

In the mean time, I shall only observe that Lord Keith,

probably from not being aware of the nature of the proposed operation, seems to have misstated the real question for consideration. His lordship argues the hazard and inutility of attacking the flotilla of the enemy when advanced in Boulogne Bay under the protection of their batteries, as a general principle of warfare.

It may have been proved to be dangerous and unprofitable; but the only question at present is whether these advanced vessels, by any means within our reach to apply, can be disposted so as to admit of the rocket launches approaching near enough to arrive within range of the basin, namely, within 2,500 yards.

I am, my dear Lord, &c.,

CASTLEREAGH.

Mr. Cooke to Sir Sidney Smith.

Downing Street, October 4, 1805.

Dear Sir-Lord Castlereagh directs me to acquaint you that he has approved of your proposal that Mr. Johnson should be employed in the Nile lugger, under your command; and he desires that you will be good enough to have a proper person survey the vessel, in order that it may be purchased at a reasonable price.

The blank in Lord Castlereagh's letter to you is left open, until you shall ascertain the sum which the Nile will cost in its purchase and equipment, which, when ascertained, you will be pleased to state to me for Lord Castlereagh's information, that you may be authorized to fill up the blank accordingly. I am, &c.,

E. COOKE.

Lord Nelson to Lord Castlereagh.

Victory, October 5, 1805.

My Lord-The troops which the enemy landed at Cadiz on their arrival are embarked again, and it is said they will put to sea the first fresh Levanter.

I have only two frigates to watch them, and not one with the fleet. I am most exceedingly anxious for more eyes. I hope the Admiralty are hastening them to me. The last fleet was lost to me for want of frigates - - God forbid this

should!

And I want a frigate to send to Algiers with my letters and the presents; for, although the old Dey is gone, they will be doubtless very acceptable to the new Dey. I shall send him a very civil letter; and I think Mr. Cartwright will so manage as to make him believe that the presents came, but that I sailed before the King's letter arrived: if a letter is usual upon these occasions, your lordship will, of course, send one.

Mr. Matra, the Consul at Tangier, I understand, has been very ill, and is, I am told, from age and infirmities, incapable of exertion in doing his duty, and that some rascally Jew does all, and all goes wrong. I write, my lord, what I hear, and what I believe. I can have no anger or dislike personally to Mr. Matra: I never saw him; but, upon several occasions, on one particularly, respecting Captain, now Sir John Gore, he received the reprehension of Government. We should have a younger man, of honour and of business; for, if he is a moneymaking man, he ought not to be appointed.

I am, with great respect, your Lordship's

most faithful and obedient servant,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

Mr. Pitt to Lord Castlereagh.

Walmer Castle, October 6, 1805.

Dear Castlereagh - You will have learned from General Moore the substance of what passed between him and me, which left me convinced that any attempt at landing is attended with too much risk to justify the experiment. I still entertain considerable hopes of something effectual being done by the rockets,

and I trust you will not have had much further difficulty in overcoming the objections both of Lord Keith and the Admiralty. Your answer to Lord Barham places the subject exactly in the true light. I return the papers on that subject, and also those from Lord Lavington. Under the very peculiar circumstances, it seems impossible to object to allowing the £20,000 for which he has drawn. I hope to remain here till this day se'nnight, and shall be extremely glad if you can execute your intention of coming on Thursday. With this wind, I am much disappointed not to have heard of anything fresh from the Continent.

Ever sincerely yours,

W. PITT.

Lord Nelson to Lord Castlereagh.

Victory, October 13, 1805.

My Lord-I have been honoured with your lordship's letter of September 24th, relative to Sardinia. I send you a copy of my letter to his Royal Highness the Viceroy, which will bring forth the present state of the island. Should Sardinia at this moment-which I think very probable-be taken by the French, it will be absolutely necessary to dispossess them of the seaports, or our fleets will not be able to watch Toulon, should the combined fleets get there, or even a squadron of them. I must not say more of its importance: never will its importance be too highly estimated, should the enemy unfortunately get possession of it.

I am, with the highest respect,

Your Lordship's most faithful
and obedient servant,

NELSON AND BRONTE.1

1

The hand that penned this letter was very soon afterwards stiff in death. The battle of Trafalgar, the crowning triumph of Nelson's glorious career, was fought on the 22nd of the same month.

Nelson and Bronte to H.R.H. Duke de Generene [?].

Copy. Victory, September 27, 1805. Sir-Your Royal Highness will readily believe that, during even my very short stay in England, I did not neglect to represent to his Majesty's Ministers the exact state of the island of Sardinia, and of the very great distress your Royal Highness was in from want of pecuniary assistance; and I have the satisfaction of assuring your Royal Highness that the necessity of succouring his Sardinian Majesty, to enable him to prevent Sardinia from falling into the hands of the French, is sensibly felt, and proper measures will be speedily taken for that essential

purpose.

I hope your Royal Highness is assured that, whether I was at Pulla or in the West Indies, the interest and welfare of your Royal House was always near my heart, and that I am ever, with the purest attachment,

Your Royal Highness's

most devoted, humble servant,

NELSON AND BRONTE.

Sir Sidney Smith to [Lord Castlereagh].

Walmer Roads, Antelope, October 16, 1804[5],

not landed till the 17th, on account of the bad weather.

My dear Lord-You will, with Mr. Pitt, be anxious for a report of Mr. Francis's experiment. To make it a military, and an impartial one, I have caused it to be signed by the officer to whom the whole detail was entrusted, and, having pruned it from exuberant matter, and reduced it to a simple narrative of facts, without speculative opinions, I can answer for its exactness, the whole having passed under my eye. This Captain Owen, who was an attentive observer, admits to be at correct statement, and now handsomely acknowledges himself to have been in an error from which he is undeceived. He