The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 2Harrison, James
History
The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 2
Harrison, James
Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Biography; Nelson, Horatio Nelson, Viscount, 1758-1805
"I have received, with the truest satisfaction, all your very
interesting letters to July 16th. The immense fatigue you have had,
in defending Acre against such a chosen army of French villains,
headed by that arch-villain Bonaparte, has never been exceeded; and
the bravery shewn by you, and your brave companions, is such as to
merit every encomium which all the civilized world can bestow. As
an individual, and as an admiral, will you accept of my feeble
tribute of praise and admiration, and make them acceptable to all
those under your command? I have returned the Cameleon, that your
lieutenant might have a good sloop; which, I hope, Lord Keith will
approve: and, in every thing in my junior situation in the fleet,
you may be assured of my readiness to do what you can wish me. I
hope, Alexandria is long before this in your possession, and the
final blow given to Bonaparte; but, I hope, no terms will ever be
granted for his individual return to Europe. Captain Stiles will
tell you all our news here; and good Sir William Hamilton tells me,
he thinks that he has told you the heads of all. In short, all is
well, if Lord Keith falls in with the combined fleet. I think, you
had better order the Theseus to Mahon; and I will endeavour to send
you either a good sloop, or a small frigate. The factory at Smyrna,
in my opinion, have written a very improper letter to you. I do not
like the general stile of Mr. Wherry's letters, they too much talk
of government affairs. It is our duty to take care of the Smyrna
trade, as well as all other, and it never has yet been neglected;
but Great Britain, extensive as her navy is, cannot afford to have
one ship lay idle. Be assured, my dear Sir Sidney, of my perfect
esteem and regard, and do not let any one persuade you to the
contrary: but my character is, that I will not suffer the smallest
tittle of my command to be taken from me. But, with pleasure, I
give way to my friends; among whom, I beg, you will allow me to
consider you: and, that I am, with the truest esteem and affection,
your, &c.
"Nelson.
"Sir Sidney Smith."
This excellent letter not only makes amends for all former asperities,
but forms a most noble eulogium on the merits of Sir Sidney Smith; who,
it must be confessed, had entitled himself, by his skill and valour,
even to this proudest of all possible panegyrics from the first of
heroes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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