Chapter IX (7)

"I was yesterday evening favoured with your reply to my letter of
the 22d of April; and I have no scruple in assuring you, that if
Commodore Fischer's letter had been couched in the same manly and
honourable manner, I should have been the last man to have noticed
any little inaccuracies which might get into a commander in chief's
public letter; and if the commodore had not called upon his royal
highness for the truth of his assertions, I never should have
noticed his letter. You have stated, truly, the force which would
have been brought into action, but for the accidents of their
getting aground; and, except the Desirée frigate, no other frigate
or sloop fired a gun to the southward of the Crown Islands. I have
done ample justice to the bravery of nearly all your officers and
men; and, as it is not my intention to hurt your feelings, or those
of his royal highness--but, on the contrary, to try and merit your
esteem--I will only say, that I am confident you would not have
wrote such a letter. Nothing, I flatter myself, in my conduct,
ought to have drawn ridicule on my character from the commodore's
pen; and you have borne the handsomest testimony of it, in
contradiction to his. I thought then, as I did before the action,
and do now, that it is not the interest of our countries to injure
each other. I am sorry that I was forced to write you so unpleasant
a letter; but, for the future, I trust that none but pleasant ones
will pass between us: for, I assure you, that I hope to merit the
continuation of your esteem, and of having frequent opportunities
of assuring you how I feel interested in being your sincere and
faithful friend,

"Nelson and Bronte."

"Adjutant-General Lindholm."

After a correspondence between Vice-Admiral Cronstadt, Adjutant-General for the Swedish Fleet and Commander in Chief at Carlscrona, with Sir Hyde Parker, which terminated in assurances of a pacific tendency, Russia remained the only object now worthy of any serious regard. The Baltic fleet wintering in two divisions, at the two great naval arsenals of Revel and Cronstadt, and the ships in the former station being locked in by the ice several weeks longer than at the latter, it was then about the time when it might be possible to get into Revel. For that port, therefore, the British fleet immediately steered: but was met by a dispatch-boat, on the 22d of April, from the Russian Ambassador at Copenhagen, announcing the death of the Emperor Paul; and bearing conciliatory propositions from Alexander the First, who had succeeded to the imperial dignities of all the Russian empire. Sir Hyde Parker, on receiving this intelligence, immediately returned into anchorage near Copenhagen: a measure which by no means met the approbation of Lord Nelson; who well knew that, in order to negociate with effect, at critical periods, force should always be at hand, and in a situation to act. The British fleets, he conceived, ought to have held a position between the two Russian squadrons; so as to have prevented the possibility of their effecting a junction, should their pacific dispositions prove otherwise than sincere.

On the 5th of May, Sir Hyde Parker having been recalled, Lord Nelson was appointed to be commander in chief; but his health was now so greatly impaired, and his spirits were so much depressed, that he received it with little hope of being able long to enjoy it's advantages. However, not another moment was lost: for, after requiring an explicit declaration that the British trade should not be molested by Sweden, in his absence, nine sail of the line immediately weighed anchor; and proceeded, with his lordship, towards Revel. He wished for farther satisfaction respecting the friendly disposition of the Russians; and thought the best method of putting it to proof, was that of trying how he should be received in one of their ports. On the passage, every possible opportunity was embraced for arranging, with the different commanders, plans of conduct to be adopted in the event of either finding the Russians friendly or hostile. There was a sincere desire for peace, but not the smallest dread of war. His lordship, however, no sooner approached the port of Revel, which he had determined to enter, than he learned, to his extreme mortification, that the state of the ice had permitted the escape of the Russian fleet to Cronstadt, on the 10th of May, being three days prior to his arrival. Lord Nelson was disappointed, but not disconcerted. An amicable correspondence was commenced; the governor and forts were saluted; he was permitted to anchor in the outer port; and, an invitation from shore being readily accepted by our hero, he was entertained with the greatest respect and attention by the governor, admiral, and all the Russian officers, at Revel. It appears, however, that the suspicions of some less honourable minds had been excited, on the occasion, to a height of considerable alarm; and, a letter having been received, on the 16th, from the Comte de Pahlen, censuring his lordship for thus visiting the Gulph of Finland, he was resolved immediately to prevent the effect of all malevolent misrepresentations, by returning to join the squadron off Bornholm, where he had left Captain Murray with seven sail of the line.

In a letter to his Excellency Earl Carysfort, dated on board the St. George, off Gothland, May 19th, 1801, in which his lordship incloses a copy of his correspondence with the Comte de Pahlen, he says--"You will have your opinion, as I have mine, that he never would have wrote such a letter, if the fleet had been at Revel in April. Mine was a desire to mark a particular civility; which, as it was not treated in the way I think handsome, I left Revel on Sunday the 17th, and here I am. From all the Russian officers at Revel, I received the most attentive behaviour; and, I believe, they are as much surprised at the answer as I was. Sir Hyde Parker's letter on the release of the British merchant ships has not been answered. I hope, all is right: but seamen are but bad negociators; for, we put to issue in five minutes, what diplomatic forms would be five months doing." He observes that, though he feels sensible all which he sends in this letter is of no consequence; still he knows, from experience, that to be informed there is nothing particular passing, is comfortable. "Our fleet," he adds, "is twenty-two sail of the line, and forty-six frigates, bombs, fire-ships, and gun-vessels; and, in the fleet, not one man in the hospital-ship. A finer fleet," his lordship exultingly concludes, "never graced the ocean!" Such, however, was his lordship's ill state of health, that he had, on the day of quitting Revel, written home for permission to relinquish the command, that he might try and re-establish it, by immediately returning to England; being unable, at present, as his lordship stated, to execute the high trust reposed in him, with either comfort to himself, or benefit to the state.

Captain Murray, having been relieved from his station, by a squadron under Rear-Admiral Totty, met Lord Nelson, with four sail of the line, off the north end of Gothland; and, on the 23d, at three in the morning, his lordship joined the rear-admiral off Gothland. He left him, however, the same evening; and, having sent the Ganges, Defence, and Veteran, to water in Kioge Bay, anchored next day off Rostock. His lordship had now not only received letters from the Russian government of an indisputably amicable tendency, but his Imperial Majesty, Alexander the First, with a wisdom and candour which do him the highest honour, absolutely sent Admiral Tchitchagoff for the purpose of holding a confidential communication with the British commander in chief. His lordship, accordingly, in a conference with this brave and worthy Russian admiral, soon became satisfied that the emperor, like his own most gracious sovereign, was sincerely disposed to enter into an amicable arrangement, and they respectively exchanged written documents to that effect; thus proving, that two honest and wise seamen are by no means such bad pacific negociators as might be imagined. Nor was this all; for, on the 26th, Lord Nelson received an invitation to visit the Emperor Alexander, in a letter from the Comte de Pahlen, which also apprised his lordship that the British merchant ships, unjustly detained by his imperial majesty's late predecessor, were now ordered to be liberated. To this pleasing communication, his lordship instantly returned the following answer, by the Russian lugger which brought his letter from the count.

"St. George, Rostock Bay,
10 o'clock at night, 26th May 1801.

"SIR,

"I am this moment honoured with your excellency's flattering letter
of May 6, O.S. and I assure you, that his imperial majesty's
justice has filled the idea I had formed of his excellent heart and
head; and, I am sure, the handsome manner in which the embargo has
been taken off the British shipping, will give the greatest
pleasure to my good and gracious sovereign. I am truly sensible of
the great honour done me, by the invitation of his imperial
majesty; and, at a future time, I hope to have the pleasure of
presenting my humble duty. I have now only to pray that a permanent
(which must be honourable) peace, may be re-established between our
gracious sovereigns; and, that our august masters reigns may be
blessed with every happiness which this world can afford: and I beg
that your excellency will believe, that I am, with the highest
respect, your most obedient and very humble servant,

Nelson and Bronte.

His Excellency the Comte de Pahlen."

There could now be no sort of doubt, that a peace with the northern powers must soon be concluded on terms honourable to all parties. The Danes, however, though so liberally treated, appear to have been somewhat sore from the wounds which their temerity had invited. Sweden, through the whole business, sagaciously kept as much as possible aloof: ready to meet the evils of war, if necessary; but prudently prefering to avoid them, while this might be effected without dishonour. Such, happily, was also the disposition of Russia, from the moment of the frantic Paul's demise; as well as that of the British government, which had been forced into a state of hostility with those whom they were ever desirous of considering only as friends. Nations sincerely so disposed, have only thoroughly to understand each other, and the sword need seldom quit it's scabbard. With respect to Denmark, however, though a positive peace was every hour expected by his lordship, he found it necessary, at the beginning of June, to remind some of her governors of the conditions of the armistice. In a letter of June 11th, to Rear-Admiral Totty, his lordship writes--"A week, from this date, all must be settled, one way or the other. Reports say, that victuallers are laying at Yarmouth, ready to sail; probably, they are waiting the issue of Lord St. Helen's negociation at St. Petersburgh. In Denmark, we shall no longer find an enemy; they have too much to lose, by the renewal of hostilities.

At this moment, generally speaking, they hate us; but they are determined not to give up their colonies, ships, &c. In this nation, we shall not be forgiven our having the upper hand of them. I only thank God we have, or they would try and humble us to the dust." In this letter, his lordship says, to the worthy rear-admiral--"I feel much flattered at your kind wishes for my remaining with the fleet: but, although my health is perfectly re-established; yet, as the Admiralty cannot know it, I trust that they have had consideration to my situation, and directed another admiral to supersede me. Sir Thomas Graves is represented to be getting better; but, as yet, is unable to get out of his cabin." In a preceding letter to Admiral Totty, speaking of the indisposition of his worthy friend, is the following interesting passage, admirably illustrative of the characteristically affectionate regards of these most brave and excellent men. "Sir Thomas Graves is still very ill: so much so, that he begged _I would not_ go and see him; as the pleasure he had in seeing me, did him harm when he was left." The pain, too, which he knew could not fail to be felt by his sympathetically susceptible friend, doubtless formed an equally strong reason for dreading those visits, in the breast of the rear-admiral, though he had the kind precaution to conceal that cause. Can we wonder, that such men should be invincible!

On the 13th of June, Lord Nelson received permission for his return to England; and immediately thanked the Lords of the Admiralty, in an answer addressed to Mr. Nepean, for the very flattering and handsome manner in which their lordships had expressed their acquiescence with his request of the 17th of May. Having received, at the same time, a commission from his majesty, to invest his friend Rear-Admiral Graves with the military order of the Bath, his lordship performed that ceremony, on board the St George, next day, in the following manner.

"His Majesty's Ship St. George, Kioge Bay,
June 14, 1801.

"A chair was placed on the gratings of the skylight, on the
quarter-deck, with the royal standard suspended over it, shewing
the king's arms. The chair was covered with the union flag; a guard
was ranged on each side the quarter-deck, consisting of the
marines, and a detachment of the rifle corps; and the captains of
the fleet attended in their full-dress uniforms. The royal standard
was hoisted the moment of the procession's beginning, which took
place in the following order--Lord Nelson came up the ladder in the
forepart of the quarter-deck, and made three reverences to the
throne; he then placed himself on the right-hand side of it.
Captain Parker, bearing the sword of state, being that which was
presented to Lord Nelson by the captains of his majesty's fleet who
fought under his command at the battle of the Nile, followed Lord
Nelson, and placed himself on his right side, a little in advance;
making three reverences to the throne, and one to Lord Nelson. His
lordship's secretary, Mr. Wallis, then followed, bearing in his
hand, on a sattin cushion, the ensigns of the order, and making
similar reverences to the throne and to Lord Nelson. Captain Parker
then read the Duke of Portland's order to Lord Nelson; which being
ended, Rear-Admiral Graves was introduced between Captains Hardy
and Retalick, making three reverences to the throne, and one to
Lord Nelson. The rear-admiral then kneeled down; and Lord Nelson,
in the name of his majesty, laid the sword on the shoulders of the
rear-admiral. The knight-elect then arose; and, bending his body a
little forward, Lord Nelson, with the assistance of Captains Hardy
and Retalick, put the ribbon over the new knight's right shoulder,
and placed the star on his left breast. His lordship then
pronounced the following speech on the occasion--

"Sir Thomas Graves! Having fulfilled the commands of his majesty,
by investing you with the ensigns of the most honourable and
military order of the Bath, I cannot but express how much I feel
gratified that it should have fallen to my lot to be directed to
confer this justly merited honour and special mark of royal favour
upon you; for I cannot but reflect, that I was an eye-witness of
your high merit, and distinguished gallantry, on the memorable 2d
of April, and for which you are now so honourably rewarded. I hope
that these honours conferred upon you, will prove to the officers
in the service, that a strict perseverance in the pursuit of
glorious actions, and the imitation of your brave and laudable
conduct, will ever ensure them the favours and rewards of our most
gracious sovereign, and the thanks and gratitude of our country."

"At the conclusion of this speech, the procession retired in the
same manner as it came; except that the new knight went first,
making one reverence to Lord Nelson, and three to the throne.

"The moment the ribbon had been placed over Sir Thomas Graves's
shoulder, the signal being made preparative, the whole fleet fired
a salute of twenty-one guns; when the ceremony was finished, the
standard was hauled down. The troops and marines, on hoisting it,
had presented their arms, and the drums beat a march. The troops
kept their arms presented during the ceremony; and, on the
standard's being hauled down, a march was likewise beat."

A few days after, having concluded his epistolary correspondences, and arranged other requisites, both with the fleet and on shore, his lordship resigned the command to Admiral Sir Charles Morice Pole, who had been sent out to relieve him, and immediately sailed for England. On the day preceding his departure, however, Lord Nelson took leave of the fleet, by issuing the following public orders--

"St. George, in Kioge Bay,
18th June 1801.

"Lord Nelson has been obliged, from the late very bad state of his
health, to apply to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for
leave to return to England, which their lordships have been pleased
to comply with. But Lord Nelson cannot allow himself to leave the
fleet, without expressing to the admirals, captains, officers, and
men, how sensibly he has felt, and does feel, all their kindnesses
to him: and, also, how nobly and honourably they have supported him
in the hour of battle, and the readiness which they have shewn to
maintain the honour of their king and country on many occasions
which have offered; and, had more opportunities presented
themselves, Lord Nelson is firmly persuaded they would have added
more glory to their country. Lord Nelson cannot but observe, with
the highest satisfaction which can fill the breast of a British
admiral, that--with the exception of the glaring misconduct of the
officers of the Tygress and Cracker gun-brigs, and the charges
alledged against the lieutenant of the Terror bomb---out of
eighteen thousand men, of which the fleet is composed, not a
complaint has been made of any officer or man in it; and he cannot
but remark, that the extraordinary health of this fleet, under the
blessing of Almighty God, is to be attributed to the great
regularity, exact discipline, and chearful obedience, of every
individual in the fleet. The vice-admiral assures them, that he
will not fail to represent to the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty their highly praise-worthy conduct; and, if it please God
that the vice-admiral recovers his health, he will feel proud, on
some future day, to go with them in pursuit of farther glory; and
to assist in making the name of our king and country beloved and
respected by all the world."

On the 1st of July, his lordship landed at Yarmouth, where he was received with universal joy. He had no sooner arrived, than his humane heart led him to visit the hospitals which contained such of his brave fellows as had been wounded in the late battle. He enquired, with parental solicitude, into the state of their health, tenderly soothed their sufferings, generously relieved their necessities, and kindly encouraged their hopes. On his leaving the town, the volunteer cavalry assembled; and escorted his lordship to Lowestoffe, a distance of eleven miles.

Lord Nelson being much indisposed when he reached Sir William Hamilton's house in Piccadilly, where his friends had assembled to meet him, a party was formed, consisting of Sir William and Lady Hamilton, the present Earl and Countess Nelson, with their son and daughter, now Lord Merton and Lady Charlotte, and Captain Parker, to go with his lordship, for change of air, and variety of scene, as far as Box Hill, near Dorking, in Surry, where they remained a few days; and then accompanied him to the Bush Inn, at Staines, in Middlesex. Here they continued about a week; and afterwards visited Mrs. Maurice Nelson, at Laleham, only two miles distant from Staines. This unfortunate lady, relict of his lordship's then recently deceased elder brother, has for many years been afflicted with total blindness. Lord Nelson now kindly condoled with her; and generously made up the small pittance left by his brother, whom he most tenderly loved, a regular annuity of two hundred pounds, besides providing for immediate exigences. It is greatly to be regretted, that his lordship's repeated solicitations for Mr. Maurice Nelson's advancement had been so little regarded, that this worthy gentleman, though almost his whole life in the Navy Office, was only elevated to the situation of a principal clerk about four months prior to his decease.

With his health considerably improved by this rural excursion, Lord Nelson returned to London; and, on dining with Mr. Addington, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, was informed, by the minister, that nothing could satisfy the people, who were in a state of continual alarm at Bonaparte's immense preparations for the threatened invasion of our country, but his lordship's immediately taking the home command. Though the nature of the French armament, which consisted chiefly of innumerable gun-boats, rendered the attack of their flotilla a species of petty warfare apparently too trivial for the attention of our heroic admiral, it was sufficient for him to be assured that his services were requisite for the safety or welfare of his country, to obtain an immediate acquiescence; however humble, hazardous, or unprofitable, the nature of the proposed employ. His friends, however, were desirous that he should receive, on the occasion, some positive benefit. His lordship alledged, with great truth, that he was one of the worst negociators on earth for himself, and seemed disinclined to tender any conditions; but Lady Hamilton urging him to obtain, at least, an entailment of his titles on the family, which would take nothing out of the national purse, and yet preserve his merited honours to the most remote posterity, he ventured, at length, to solicit that small favour, which was very readily granted.

In consequence of this arrangement, Lord Nelson was appointed commander in chief of a powerful squadron, employed between Orfordness and Beachy-Head: together with the entire flotilla of gun-brigs, fire-ships, bomb-ketches, and vessels of every other description; and all the sea-fencibles embodied within the same district, with all the boats, vessels, and other floating defences, on board of which they might be required to act. His lordship, accordingly, hastened to Sheerness, and hoisted his flag on board L'Unité frigate of thirty-two guns. Having, with his accustomed activity, directed the respective stations of the several ships there under his command; he sailed, in a very few days, for the Downs: and it is remarkable that, on his passage from the Nore, instead of pursuing the usual course, and proceeding through the King's Channel, he resolved on attempting a passage hitherto deemed impracticable for ships of war--an experiment which he judiciously considered, at this particular period, as well worthy of trial--and, having compleatly succeeded, it has ever since been properly called Nelson's Channel.

On the 29th of July, at night, Lord Nelson arrived in the Downs, and immediately hoisted his flag on board the Leyden of sixty-four guns; but shifted it, two days after, to the Medusa frigate of thirty-two. Not a moment was now lost in making every preparation for a formidable attack on the French flotilla, by the assistance of which we were menaced with the invasion of the myriads of troops that lined the shore of the enemy from Brest to the Texel. Fearful, however, of our approach, they had been particularly careful to fortify their coast swarming with soldiers, by the erection of innumerable strong batteries, having furnaces for preparing red-hot shot, and adapting every other contrivance to annoy their dreaded assailants and protect themselves. From the moment it was known that Lord Nelson had undertaken the home command, every apprehension of a French invasion was changed into the wish that such an attempt might instantly be made, and there was, perhaps, scarcely a man, woman, or child, in the united kingdom, who now longer felt the smallest fear of an event which had lately excited so much general alarm. With a promptness inconceivable, his lordship planned every species of precautionary defence, while engaged in executing his offensive operations: and it is anxiously hoped, that his excellent defensive arrangements, made on this occasion, though happily not then needed, will be carefully treasured in the archives of the Admiralty, for immediate adoption, should any attempt ever be made, by a rash and powerful enemy, to approach the British shores; who may thus be vanquished, by our immortal hero, in a future and even distant age.

The French flotilla prepared at Boulogne had of late been considerably increased by reinforcements from Calais; and it was found difficult for the British cruizers to prevent, with certainty, or even safety, such small vessels as these gun-boats from stealing along the shore. They were, therefore, become extremely numerous, and it was judged prudent to attempt lessening their number by capture or demolition. Every thing being prepared with these intentions, his lordship, on the 1st of August 1801, being the third anniversary of his glorious victory off the Nile, sailed from the Downs, and stood over to the coast of France.

On the 2d, having arrived off Boulogne, twenty four armed vessels were perceived at anchor outside the port; the boasted gun-boats seemed, to his lordship, incapable of being rowed, in the smoothest water, more than a mile and a half an hour. The enemy, alarmed at the approach of the British armament, were labouring hard to erect new batteries; but the wind being too far to the northward for our bombs to go on the lee-shore, this attack, by way of experiment, did not commence till the 4th. The following official account of it's success was immediately transmitted to England, by his lordship.

"Medusa, off Boulogne,
4th August 1801.

"SIR,

The enemy's vessels, brigs, and flats (lugger-rigged) and a
schooner, twenty-four in number, were this morning, at day-light,
anchored in a line, in front of the town of Boulogne. The wind
being favourable for the bombs to act, I made the signal for them
to weigh; and throw shells at the vessels, but as little as
possible to annoy the town. The captains placed their ships in the
best possible position; and, in a few hours, three of the flats,
and a brig, were sunk: and, in the course of the morning, six were
on shore, evidently much damaged. At six this evening, being high
water, five of the vessels which had been aground hauled with
difficulty into the mole, the others remained under water. I
believe, the whole of the vessels would have gone inside the pier,
but for want of water. What damage the enemy may have sustained,
beyond what we see, is impossible to tell. The whole of this affair
is of no farther consequence, than to shew the enemy that they
cannot, with impunity, come outside their ports. The officers of
the artillery threw the shells with great skill: and I am sorry to
say, that Captain Fyers, of the Royal Artillery, is slightly
wounded in the thigh by the bursting of an enemy's shell; and that
three seamen are also wounded. One more of the enemy's flats is
this moment sunk.

I am, Sir, &c.
"Nelson And Bronte."

"Evan Nepean, Esq."

This attack seems to have been chiefly intended to ascertain what might be hereafter effected with a force particularly adapted to the nature of the service, founded on some degree of actual experience. His lordship was, therefore, far less disappointed by the event, than might generally be imagined. To prevent the commanders of the bomb-vessels from being discouraged, who had really deserved better success, his lordship thus complimented them on the occasion.

"Medusa, off Boulogne,
Aug. 5th, 1801.

"Lord Nelson has reason to be very much satisfied with the captains
of the bombs, for the placing of their vessels yesterday. It was
impossible they could have been better situated; and the artillery
officers have shewn great skill in entirely disabling ten of the
armed vessels out of twenty-four opposed to them; and many others,
Lord Nelson believes, are much damaged. The commander in chief
cannot avoid noticing the great zeal and desire to attack the enemy
in a closer combat, which manifested itself in all ranks of
persons; and which Lord Nelson would gladly have given full scope
to, had the attempt at this moment been proper; but the officers,
and others, may rely that an early opportunity shall be given them
for shewing their judgment, zeal, and bravery. The hired and
revenue cutters kept under sail, and performed the duty entrusted
to them with, a great deal of skill.

"Nelson and Bronte."

On the day following, Lord Nelson quitted the French coast, and repaired to Margate Roads; leaving, however, a sufficient force off Boulogne to watch the motions of the enemy, and the gun-boats and smaller vessels of his fleet in the Downs. While every possible effort was making to prepare for a most vigorous attempt on the flotilla at Boulogne, his lordship, by visiting Harwich for a few days, endeavoured to divert the attention of the enemy, and induce them to suppose that he was now going against Flushing, really meant to be the next object of attack. By this stratagem, both services were actually, at the same time, in a state of constant preparation. Having arranged matters at Harwich, his lordship returned to the Downs; from whence, on the 15th, he again stood over to Boulogne, with a force now augmented to seventy sail, including vessels of all descriptions. The French, however, had been equally alert in guarding against an expected second blow; and, to the total discomfiture of the enterprize, as well as the loss of many of our brave men, though to their own eternal ignominy, it was discovered, when too late, that these threatening invaders had literally chained down all the vessels of this boasted flotilla to the shore, in dread of their being carried off by the British assailants. Of this unfortunate affair, which failed from a cause that could scarcely have been suspected, by a brave man, in even the most pusillanimous enemy, the following copious dispatches from Lord Nelson to the Admiralty, including the reports of the several commanders of divisions as transmitted through Mr. Nepean, will afford a very full and particular description.

"Medusa, off Boulogne, 16th Aug. 1801.

"SIR,

"Having judged it proper to attempt bringing off all the enemy's
flotilla moored in the front of Boulogne, I directed the attack to
be made in four divisions of boats for boarding, under the command
of Captains Somerville, Parker, Cotgrave, and Jones, and a division
of howitzer-boats under the command of Captain Conor, of his
majesty's ship Discovery. The boats put off from the Medusa, at
half past eleven last night, in the best possible order; and,
before one o'clock this morning, the firing began: and I had, from
the judgment of the officers, and the zeal and gallantry of every
man, the most perfect confidence of compleat success--and which I
have no doubt would have been according to my expectations--but
owing to the darkness of the night, with the tide and half tide,
which must always make the attacks in the night, on the coasts of
the channel, very uncertain, the divisions separated; and from all
not arriving at the same happy moment with Captain Parker, is to be
attributed the failure of success. But I beg to be perfectly
understood, that not the smallest blame attaches itself any where;
for, although the divisions did not arrive together, yet each
(except the fourth, which could not be got up before day) made a
successful attack on that part of the enemy they fell in with, and
actually took possession of many brigs and flats--particularly, the
commodore. _But the vessels being, as I am informed, chained to
the, shore, but certainly hauled on shore_, as the commodore's brig
had less under her bottom than could support her, the moment the
battle ceased on board, such vollies upon vollies of musketry were
fired, directed on their decks, the enemy being perfectly
regardless of their own men, who must have suffered equally with
us, that it was impossible even to remain on board to burn them.
But allow me, who have seen much service this war, to say, that
more determined, persevering courage, I never witnessed; and, that
nothing but the impossibility of being successful, from the causes
I have mentioned, could have prevented my having to congratulate
their lordships on bringing off the enemy's flotilla: and,
although, in value, the loss of such gallant and good men is
incalculable; yet, in point of numbers, it has fell short of my
expectations. I must also state, that greater zeal, and ardent
desire, in the whole of the officers and crews, in the numerous
vessels under my command, to distinguish themselves by an attack on
the enemy, were never shewn: and the commanders and crews of the
hired and revenue cutters vie with their brethren of the navy; the
whole of whose boats were employed, and the commanders of the
Hunter and Greyhound cutters volunteered their services.

"Among the many gallant men wounded, I have, with the deepest
regret, to state the heavy loss I have sustained, by the grievous
wounds of my gallant good friend, and able assistant, Captain
Edward Thomas Parker, my aid-de-camp; also of Lieutenant Frederic
Langford, my flag-lieutenant, who has served with me many years;
and who were both wounded, in attempting to board the French
commodore. To Captain Gore, of the Medusa, I feel the highest
obligations; and, when their lordships look at the loss of the
Medusa on this occasion, they will agree with me, that the honour
of my flag, and the cause of their king and country, could never
have been placed in more gallant hands. Captain Bedford, of the
Leyden, with Captain Gore, very handsomely volunteered their
services to serve under masters and commanders: but, it would not
have been fair to the latter; and I only mention it, to mark the
zeal of those officers. From the nature of the attack, only a few
prisoners were made; a lieutenant, eight seamen, and eight
soldiers, are all which were brought off. Herewith, I send you the
report of the several commanders of divisions, and also a return of
killed and wounded, &c.

I have the honour to be, &c.

"NELSON AND BRONTE."

"P.S. Captain Somerville was the senior master and commander
employed.

"Evan Nepean, Esq."

The letters received by his lordship from the several commanders of divisions, and transmitted by him to England, with his own public letter, were as follow.

FIRST DIVISION.

"Eugenie, off Boulogne,
16th Aug. 1801.

"MY LORD,

"In obedience to your lordship's directions to state the
proceedings of the first division of boats which you did me the
honour to place under my command, for the purpose of attacking the
enemy's flotilla in the Bay of Boulogne, I beg leave to acquaint
you that, after leaving the Medusa last night, I found myself, in
getting ashore, carried considerably, by the rapidity of the tide,
to the eastward of the abovementioned place; and, finding that I
was not likely to reach it in the order prescribed, I gave
directions to the boats to cast each other off. By so doing, I was
enabled to get to the enemy's flotilla a little before the dawn of
day: and, in the best order possible, attacked, close to the
pier-head, a brig; which, after a short contest, I carried.
Previous to so doing, her cables were cut; but I was prevented from
towing her out, by her being secured with a chain: and, in
consequence of a very heavy fire of musketry and grape-shot, that
was directed at us from the shore, three luggers, and another brig,
within half pistol shot, and not seeing the least prospect of being
able to get her off, I was obliged to abandon her, and push out of
the bay, as it was then compleatly day-light. The undaunted and
resolute behaviour of the officers, seamen, and marines, was
unparalleled; and I have to lament the loss of several of those
brave men, a list of whom I inclose herewith.

I have the honour to be, &c.
P. Somerville."

SECOND DIVISION.

"Medusa, off Boulogne,
16th Aug. 1801.

"MY LORD,

"After the compleat arrangement which was made, the perfect good
understanding and regularity with which the boats you did me the
honour to put under my command left the Medusa, I have an anxious
feeling to explain to your lordship the failure of our enterprize,
that on it's outset promised every success. Agreeable to your
lordship's instructions, I proceeded, with the second division of
the boats under my direction, the half of which was under the
direction of Lieutenant Williams, senior of the Medusa, to attack
the part of the enemy's flotilla appointed for me: and, at half
past twelve, had the good fortune to find myself close to them;
when I ordered Lieutenant Williams, with his subdivision, to push
on to attack the vessels to the northward of me; while I, with the
others, run alongside a large brig off the mole head, wearing the
commodore's pendant. It is at this moment, that I feel myself at a
loss for words to do justice to the officers and crew of the
Medusa, who were in the boat with me; and to Lieutenant Langford,
the officers and crew of the same ship, who nobly seconded us in
the barge until all her crew were killed or wounded: and to the
Honourable William Cathcart, who commanded the Medusa's cutter, and
sustained the attack with the greatest intrepidity, until the
desperate situation I was left in obliged me to call him to the
assistance of the sufferers in my boat. The boats were no sooner
alongside, than we attempted to board: but a very strong netting,
traced up to her lower yards, baffled all our endeavours; and an
instantaneous discharge of her guns, and small arms from about two
hundred soldiers on her gun-wale, knocked myself, Mr. Kirby the
master of the Medusa, and Mr. Gore a midshipman, with two thirds of
the crew, upon our backs, into the boat; all, either killed or
desperately wounded. The barge, and cutter, being on the outside,
sheered off with the tide: but the flat-boat, in which I was, hung
alongside; and, as there was not an officer or man left to govern
her, must have fallen into the hands of the enemy, had not Mr.
Cathcart taken her in tow, and carried her off.

"Mr. Williams led his subdivision up to the enemy with the most
intrepid gallantry, took one lugger, and attacked a brig; while his
crew, I am concerned to say, suffered equally with ourselves:
nearly the whole of his boat's crew were killed or wounded.
Lieutenant Paley, who commanded the Medusa's launch, and the
Honourable Mr. Maitland, midshipman, were severely wounded; and Mr.
William Bristow, master's mate in the Medusa's cutter under
Lieutenant Steward, was killed.

"I now feel it my duty to assure your lordship, that nothing could
surpass the zeal, courage, and readiness, of every description of
officers and men under my command; and I am sorry that my words
fall short of their merit, though we could not accomplish the
object we were ordered to. I have the honour to be, &c.

"Edward T. Parker."

THIRD DIVISION.

Gannet, 16th Aug. 1801.

"MY LORD,

"On the night of the 15th inst. the third division of boats, which
I had the honour to command, assembled on board his majesty's ship
York, agreeable to your lordship's directions; and, at eleven, P.M.
by signal from the Medusa, proceeded, without loss of time, to
attack the enemy's flotilla off Boulogne, as directed by your
lordship. As I thought it most advisable to endeavour to reduce the
largest vessel first, I lost no time in making the attack; but, in
consequence of my leading the division, and the enemy opening a
heavy fire from several of the batteries, thought it advisable to
give the enemy as little time as possible, cut the tow-rope, and
did not wait for the other boats, so that it was some little time
before the heavy boats could get up. I received so many shots
through the boat's bottom, that I soon found her in a sinking
state; and, as it was not possible to stop so many shot-holes, was
obliged, with the men, to take to another boat; and have the
pleasure to acquaint your lordship that I received particular
support from the boats of his majesty's ship York, which soon came
up with the rest of the division I had the honour to command. But,
finding no prospect of success, and the number of men killed and
wounded in the different boats, with the constant fire from the
shore of grape and small-arms, thought it for the good of his
majesty's service to withdraw the boats between two and three in
the morning; as we could not board her, although every effort was
made.

I have the honour to be, &c.
Isaac Cotgrave."

FOURTH DIVISION.

"His Majesty's Ship Isis,
16th Aug. 1801.

"MY LORD,

"In consequence of directions received from your lordship, I last
night, on the signal being made on board the Medusa, left this
ship, with the boats of the fourth division, formed with two close
lines, and immediately joined the other divisions under the stern
of the Medusa; and, from thence, proceeded to put your lordship's
orders into execution, by attacking the westernmost part of the
enemy's flotilla. But, notwithstanding every exertion made, owing
to the rapidity of the tide, we could not, until near day-light,
get to the westward of any part of the enemy's line; on approaching
the eastern part of which, in order to assist the first division
then engaged, we met them returning. Under these circumstances, and
the day breaking apace, I judged it prudent to direct the officers
commanding the different boats to return to their respective ships.

"I have the honour to be, &c.
Robert Jones.

"P.S. None killed or wounded on board any of the fourth division."

DIVISION OF HOWITZER-BOATS.

Discovery, off Boulogne,
Aug. 6, 1801.

"MY LORD,

"I beg leave to make the report to your lordship of the four
howitzer-boats that I had the honour to command in the attack of
the enemy last night. Having led in, to support Captain Parker's
division, keeping between his lines until the enemy opened their
fire on him: we keeping on towards the pier, until I was aground in
the headmost boat; then opened our fire, and threw about eight
shells into it. But, from the strength of the tide coming out of
the harbour, was not able to keep off the pier-head; but continued
our fire on the camp until the enemy's fire had totally slackened,
and Captain Parker's division had passed without me. I beg leave to
mention to your lordship, that I was ably supported by the other
boats. Captain Broome, and Lieutenant Beem, of the Royal Artillery,
did every thing in their power to annoy the enemy. The other
officers of artillery were detached in the other four
howitzer-boats.

"I have the honour to be, &c.
John Conn."

* * * * *

_Return of Killed and Wounded in the Boats of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels, on the attack of the French Flotilla, moored before Boulogne, 16th of August 1801_.

KILLED 4 Officers. 33 Seamen. 7 Marines.

WOUNDED 14 84 30
---- ---- ----
TOTAL 18 117 37
---- ---- ----

Total, Killed and Wounded, 172.

The circumstances unfolded in the above letters very sufficiently account for the failure of success, while they demonstrate how well it had been merited. Lord Nelson was, doubtless, in some degree disappointed, for he had hoped to destroy or bring off all their boasted flotilla. He consoled himself, however, with reflecting that, if little advantage had been gained, there was, on his part, no loss of honour; while the enemy owed their security to the disgraceful resource of being constrained to chain their vaunted vessels for invading our country to the shores of their own.

His lordship was scarcely returned to the Downs, from this expedition, when he had the honour of receiving, from the First Lord of the Admiralty, his old friend the Earl of St. Vincent, a most kind and affectionate letter, dated the 17th of August 1801, from which the following is an extract--

"It is not given us, to command success; your lordship, and the
gallant men under your orders, certainly deserve it: and I cannot
sufficiently express my admiration of the zeal and persevering
courage with which this gallant enterprize was followed up;
lamenting, most sincerely, the loss sustained in it. The manner in
which the enemy's flotilla was fastened to the ground, could not
have been foreseen. The highest praise is due to your lordship; and
all, under your command, who were actors in this gallant attempt."

Lord Nelson immediately issued the following general orders to all who had fought under his command on this occasion.

"Medusa, Downs, 18th Aug. 1801.

"Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson has the greatest satisfaction in sending
to the captains, officers, and men, under his command, that were
employed in the late attempt on the enemy's flotilla off Boulogne,
an extract of a letter which he has received from the First Lord of
the Admiralty; not only approving of their zeal and persevering
courage, but bestowing the highest praise on them. The vice-admiral
begs to assure them, that the enemy will not have long reason to
boast of their security; for he trusts, ere long, to assist them in
person, in a way which will compleatly annihilate the whole of
them. Lord Nelson is convinced that, if it had been possible for
men to have brought the enemy's flotilla out, the men that were
employed to do so would have accomplished it. The moment the enemy
have the audacity to cast off the chains which fix their vessels to
the ground, that moment, Lord Nelson is well persuaded, they will
be conducted, by his brave followers, to a British port, or sent to
the bottom.

"Nelson and Bronte."

Such were the consolations of these great and congenial minds. They had nothing with which to upbraid themselves; no cause of censure in any of the brave men employed on the occasion; nor the smallest doubt of success, with the same measures, and the same men, wherever success might be possible. The chief source of sorrow which afflicted the breast of our hero, was commiseration for the sufferings of the many gallant men who were now languishing, on the bed of anguish, with dreadful and dangerous wounds received in the action. At the hospital, his lordship was a constant attendant; this, indeed, had ever been his humane practice. He tenderly enquired into the state of their wounds, and poured the balm of sympathetic solace into their agonized minds. On beholding a brave fellow, whom he particularly recollected, and kindly asking what injury he had received, his lordship was informed that he had lost an arm. "Never mind that," said the hero; "I have lost an arm, too; and, perhaps, shall shortly lose a leg: but, my good fellow, they can never be lost in a better cause, than in the defence of our country." This had a wonderful effect, not only on the man particularly addressed, but all his fellow-sufferers around; several of whom exclaimed, that they should disregard their being wounded, if they were not thus prevented from accompanying his lordship in another attack on the enemy.

While Lord Nelson was engaged in these services off Boulogne, the new concessions of his majesty, with regard to the extensions of his lordship's titles and honours, had been published in the London Gazette, on the 4th and 12th of August 1801. The first, announcing his creation to the dignity of Baron of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, by the name, stile, and title, of Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of Hilborough in the county of Norfolk, with remainders: and the second, that Lord Viscount Nelson had been permitted, by his Majesty's warrant, dated 7th January 1801, to adopt, for himself and heirs, the title of Duke of Bronte, with the fief of the Dutchy annexed thereto; and, also, to receive the Great Cross of the Order of St. Ferdinand and of Merit, all conferred on him by Ferdinand IV. King of the Two Sicilies.

The original of the creation of Lord Viscount Nelson, before Baron of Burnham Thorpe in the county of Norfolk, to the Barony of Hilborough in the same county, is expressed in terms at once so highly honourable to the sovereign from whom they proceeded, and to his lordship, in whose just praise they are thus publicly addressed by his Majesty to the whole world as well as to posterity, that it is judged proper to give a complete and correct copy of this curious and interesting document to the reader, as obtained from the office of the royal signet.

CREATION OF VISCOUNT NELSON, BARON HILBOROUGH, WITH REMAINDERS.

"His Majesty is graciously pleased, _in consideration of the great
and important services that renowned man, Horatio Viscount Nelson,
hath rendered to his King and Country, and in order to perpetuate
to the latest posterity the remembrance of his glorious actions,
and to incite others to imitate his example_, to grant the dignity
of a Baron of his united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to
the said Horatio Viscount Nelson, Knight of the most Honourable
Order of the Bath, and Vice-Admiral of the Blue Squadron of his
Majesty's Fleet--Duke of Bronte in Sicily, Knight of the Grand
Cross of the Order of St. Ferdinand and of Merit, and of the
Imperial Order of the Crescent--by the name, stile, and title, of
Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of Hilborough in his county of
Norfolk: to hold, to him, and the heirs male of his body lawfully
begotten; and, in default of such issue, to his trusty and
well-beloved Edmund Nelson, Clerk, Rector of Burnham Thorpe in his
county of Norfolk, father of the said Horatio Viscount Nelson, and
the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten; and, in default of
such issue, to the heirs male of the body of Susannah, the wife of
Thomas Bolton, Esq. and sister of the said Horatio Viscount Nelson,
lawfully begotten and to be begotten, severally and successively,
one after another, as they shall be in seniority of age and
priority of birth; and, in default of such issue, to the heirs male
of the body of Catharine, the wife of George Matcham, Esq. another
sister of the said Horatio Viscount Nelson, lawfully begotten and
to be begotten, severally and successively, one after another, as
they shall be in seniority of age and priority of birth; with all
rights, privileges, pre-eminences, immunities, and advantages,
thereunto belonging. _And a clause is inserted, declaring it to be
his Majesty's royal will and pleasure, that the persons who shall
hereafter succeed to the said title and dignity of Baron Nelson of
the Nile, and of Hilborough aforesaid, shall take and use the
surname of Nelson only_."

In a note accompanying the above copy of this creation with remainders, it is observed, that the words therein scored under with red, and which are here printed in Italic characters, appear to be new, and are not inserted in common creations.

Immediately on Lord Nelson's arrival in the Downs, from off Boulogne, he had sent to request that Sir William and Lady Hamilton, with the present Earl and Countess Nelson, would hasten to Deal, for the purpose of attending on their esteemed friend Captain Parker, whose dreadful wounds afforded but little hope of his recovery, and tendering their kind offices to the rest of the brave sufferers.

In the mean time, his lordship had again sailed from the Downs, on Sunday the 23d of August; and was joined off the North Foreland, by the squadron from Margate, with a view of trying what might be effected against Flushing. The whole of this fleet, when united off West Capel, consisted of thirty-four sail, from sixty-four guns to fourteen, including three bombs and three fire-vessels; and, after consulting pilots, "who made use," his lordship observed, in his letter to Mr. Nepean, "of many _ifs_," with regard to being able to approach the enemy, or even get the ships safely back again, he was determined to satisfy his own mind, by going on board the King George hired cutter, Mr. Yawkins master, the 25th in the morning; who carried his lordship up the Welling Channel four or five leagues from his ships, and within about three of the enemy. From this distant observation, by himself and Captain Gore, joined to the local knowledge of Mr. Yawkins, he could not think himself justifiable in proceeding farther with the business; though he liberally acknowledged the admiration which he felt of the zeal of Captain Owen, in the anxious desire of that able officer to get at the enemy. The hazard, it appeared, was far greater, and the object, from the few ships there, considerably less, than had been imagined.