The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson Volume II Part 21

"In consequence of directions received from your lords.h.i.+p, I last night, on the signal being made on board the Medusa, left this s.h.i.+p, 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 lords.h.i.+p'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 a.s.sist the first division then engaged, we met them returning. Under these circ.u.mstances, and the day breaking apace, I judged it prudent to direct the officers commanding the different boats to return to their respective s.h.i.+ps.

"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 lords.h.i.+p 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 sh.e.l.ls 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 pa.s.sed without me. I beg leave to mention to your lords.h.i.+p, 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 s.h.i.+ps 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 circ.u.mstances 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 sh.o.r.es of their own.

His lords.h.i.+p 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 lords.h.i.+p, 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 lords.h.i.+p; 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 a.s.sure them, that the enemy will not have long reason to boast of their security; for he trusts, ere long, to a.s.sist 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 languis.h.i.+ng, on the bed of anguish, with dreadful and dangerous wounds received in the action. At the hospital, his lords.h.i.+p 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 lords.h.i.+p 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 lords.h.i.+p 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 lords.h.i.+p's t.i.tles 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 t.i.tle, 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 t.i.tle 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 lords.h.i.+p, 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 doc.u.ment 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 t.i.tle, 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 t.i.tle 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 lords.h.i.+p 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 Flus.h.i.+ng. 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 lords.h.i.+p observed, in his letter to Mr.

Nepean, "of many _ifs_," with regard to being able to approach the enemy, or even get the s.h.i.+ps 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 lords.h.i.+p up the Welling Channel four or five leagues from his s.h.i.+ps, 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 s.h.i.+ps there, considerably less, than had been imagined.

On the 27th, Lord Nelson returned to the Downs, in the Medusa; and, next day, hoisted his flag on board the Amazon. His worthy old friend, Admiral Lutwidge, being port-admiral at Deal, and residing there with his excellent and truly amiable lady, an indissoluble friends.h.i.+p was formed between them and Sir William and Lady Hamilton. The gallant and good Captain Parker, having been under the necessity of submitting to an amputation of his thigh, suffered the most excruciating tortures for about a month; and then died, with the most magnanimous and pious resignation, surrounded by these estimable friends, who had contributed to afford him every solace of which his dreadful state was susceptible.

As the French, now attacked on their own sh.o.r.es, seemed likely soon to accept propositions of peace, Lord Nelson thought it advisable to purchase a pleasant rural retreat, where he might enjoy the benefit of good air, and yet be "within hail of the Admiralty." Sir William Hamilton, therefore, was requested to search out a spot adapted to their joint establishment: and, shortly after his return to London, learning that Merton Place, in Surry, about eight miles distant from Westminster Bridge, was to be disposed of, he immediately bought this estate; which was expeditiously prepared for their mutual reception, under the guidance of that cla.s.sical and elegant taste for which Sir William and Lady Hamilton were both so peculiarly distinguished. The site of this house and grounds is said to have been part of the ancient abbey lands of Merton, situated within about two hundred and fifty yards of the present remaining abbey wall; and, in digging to effect the various improvements, many old coins, and other antiquities, have been occasionally dug up. Though this place was familiarly denominated a farm, by our hero and his friends, it had been, for many years before, the respectable seat of Sir Richard Hotham. The ground, however, was certainly very contracted on one side of the house, being there little more than sufficient to bound the moat by which it was unpleasantly surrounded. Whatever could be effected, in such limits, was soon arranged; and, as the autumnal season's advancement probably reminded them of the spoliage which must speedily be expected to ensue in the general verdure of the scene, innumerable evergreens were most judiciously planted throughout the grounds; including a modest portion of those laurels, beneath the shade of which the transcendent merits of the heroic possessor so abundantly ent.i.tled him to repose. By pursuing this excellent management, the charming gardens of Merton, in their enlarged state, preserve a considerable degree of comfort and beauty throughout the rigours of the severest winter.

Lord Nelson heard, daily, the progress which was making at the farm, and it afforded him a pleasure of which he stood greatly in need. His health was, at this time, very indifferent, and he suffered severely from the cold winds of the autumnal equinox. Though, however, the preliminaries of peace were now signed, he could not obtain leave of absence from the Admiralty, to try the good effects of a little retirement at his new dwelling, till the 22d of October, and then only for ten days. As if this were not sufficient, he was agitated by the estrangement of his father's affections, in consequence of the recent separation from Lady Nelson; and pestered with anonymous threatening letters, in a way very similar to those supposed to have been written by Mr. Barnard to the great Duke of Marlborough. Every means were tried, by the friends of his lords.h.i.+p, to detect the writer of these infamous incendiary epistles, but without the desired effect. They, however, gave the hero himself very little anxiety: he considered them, probably, as nefarious attacks on his purse, through the medium of his character, and treated every menace they contained with the most sovereign contempt. Such, however, was our hero's filial reverence of parental authority, that he could by no means regard his father's censure as a matter of light importance, though he felt conscious of his own innocence and integrity.

This, indeed, was truly a source of sorrow; and he resolved fully to satisfy his venerable parent's every scruple, and convince him how cruelly he had been wronged by false and scandalous reports.

Early on the 22d of October, Lord Nelson quitted the Amazon, in the Downs; and, immediately landing at Deal, set off post for Merton. On arriving at this small village, it is a singular fact that, being asked by the post-boy, which was the house; his lords.h.i.+p could only reply, that he knew no more than himself. It was, however, soon found; and never was man more delighted, than our hero, at beholding his new residence. Every glowing feature of his amiable friends spoke the welcome which was felt by each heart, as the various beauties of this little spot were pointed out to his inquisitive eye. He viewed all with admiration and astonishment, so greatly did it surpa.s.s every idea which he had formed. "Is this, too, mine?" he repeatedly asked, as he was shewn the different parts of his estate; the house, the gardens, the dairy, &c. He was particularly charmed with the admirable contrivance of a commodious subterranean pa.s.sage, formed beneath the high road, and leading to the beautiful and extensive plantation walks with which the fields and kitchen gardens, on that side, are so agreeably environed; this estate, among others in that neighbourhood, having been formerly severed, in consequence of an act of parliament for intersecting it by a new road to Epsom. "Oh, Sir William!" exclaimed his lords.h.i.+p, embracing his most worthy friend, when he had seen the whole, "the longest liver shall possess it all!" Lord Nelson was never a man of words; the memory of this engagement, when he afterwards made his will, has conveyed the beautiful villa of Merton Place to Lady Hamilton.

The peace that at this period ensued, happily prevented any necessity for his lords.h.i.+p's return to the fleet, which was soon after paid off.

In the attainment of this peace, it will be the province of every historian who duly considers the entire combination of causes and effects, justly to appreciate the merits of our hero; who, however, was, by no means of opinion that it could prove of any very long duration, till the restless ambition of Bonaparte should be still more efficaciously checked.

His lords.h.i.+p was ever affectionately attached to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales; as well as to the Duke of Clarence, and all the other royal brothers: he was fully sensible, too, of the brilliant political abilities of some of the chief members of the opposition, and felt sincerely desirous of seeing them fairly devoted to the service of the country. He regarded, however, what was universally deemed "the honest administration of Mr. Addington," the present Lord Sidmouth, as ent.i.tled to all the support which he could render men who not unworthily enjoyed a high degree of their sovereign's confidence and favour. No considerations of private friends.h.i.+p could ever induce him to unite in any systematic opposition of his majesty's ministers. He was, he said, the King's servant; and would, in every way, defend him with his best abilities. His lords.h.i.+p joined not in any condemnation of the peace; which he regarded, with many other intelligent persons, as an experiment worthy the trial. Of national honour, he conceived, nothing was sacrificed; and, except Malta, little was given up, which could be any just subject of regret. Even Malta itself, of which he so well knew all the value, and which could probably never have been wrested from France without his lords.h.i.+p's wonderful address and perseverance in obtaining aids for effecting it's reduction, he declared was, in his estimation, scarcely worth the trouble and expence of preserving, could we be certain that it might never fall into the hands of our enemies. The speeches of Lord Nelson, in parliament, on this and other popular topics, demonstrate great senatorial ability, with a profound knowledge of our political and even commercial interests. Such a potent coadjutor was well worth cheris.h.i.+ng, and Mr. Addington appears to have been very properly of that opinion.

Lord Nelson, on surveying his new domains, felt vastly desirous of filling up the moat, and extending the grounds on that side of the house where the s.p.a.ce was so exceedingly contracted. He had, accordingly, applied by letter, dated the 25th of October 1801, to William Axe, Esq.

of Birchin Lane, London, who was proprietor of the small intervening field which alone separated Merton Place from the narrow lane at the end of the abbey wall, to be favoured with the purchase of it, on equitable terms; and though that worthy gentleman, in the handsomest manner, for which Lord Nelson ever after highly respected him, paid all possible attention to the wish of his lords.h.i.+p; a churlish farmer, who was Mr.

Axe's tenant, on lease, of the whole adjoining estate, where he had acquired a considerable fortune, opposed so many objections, and evinced so rude and unaccommodating a disposition, notwithstanding his lords.h.i.+p had condescendingly treated him with every courtesy, that the object was not accomplished till his lords.h.i.+p, about a year and half afterwards, purchased the whole farm, consisting of a hundred and fifteen acres; which Mr. Axe liberally consented to sell for the very moderate sum of eight thousand pounds.

In November, the Reverend Mr. Nelson came to Merton, on the pressing invitation of his ever duteous son. The meeting was truly affecting; and terminated, as it ought, in a thorough conviction, that his lords.h.i.+p had been most shamefully slandered. Indeed, on an entire eclairciss.e.m.e.nt, it became manifest that the grossest part of the slander which had been cruelly levelled against our hero was so self-evidently false, and really impracticable, that a very small degree of consideration made the worthy and venerable father blush for the credulity which had contributed to criminate our hero; whose private life, all circ.u.mstances duly considered, was to the full as unsullied as his public character.

He saw the happy family with whom his heroic son was so agreeably domesticated; and witnessed the pure felicity of those amiable friends, with a rapture which conveyed the highest satisfaction to his heart. He perceived the kindest attentions to his son's happiness in every act of all around him: and their success, in the joy now constantly diffused over his countenance; beaming in every glance of his eye, and speaking in every accent of his tongue. He beheld his great and good son happy, and blessed and loved the friends who made him so. "Merton," he said, "is the _Mansion of Peace_, and I must become one of the inhabitants.

Sir William and myself are both old men, and we will witness the hero's felicity in retirement." Such was the intention of this virtuous and pious parent; who had, however, been long so habituated to pa.s.sing his winters at Bath, that he could not, at once, wean himself of the custom: but he never resided with Lady Nelson, as has been falsely reported, from the moment he was convinced of his ill.u.s.trious son's having been so egregiously misrepresented. Apartments, in the mean time, were actually prepared for him at Merton Place; and it was agreed that, after wintering at Bath, he should, in May, come to reside wholly with his son and Sir William and Lady Hamilton: but, unfortunately, the salubrity of Bath proved insufficient to prolong his valuable life even till that period, for he died at his own apartments in that city, on the 26th of April 1802, in the seventy-ninth year of his age: lamented by every person who had ever known him, with the deepest veneration and regret, for the blameless sanct.i.ty of his amiable manners, the agreeable cheerfulness of his admirable disposition, and the warm benevolence of his excellent heart.

The loss of such a father, though at an age when it was to be expected, could not but be sensibly felt by the amiable offspring whom he left behind. Lord Nelson, ever tender as an infant in all that regards the soft affections, lamented his father's death with a grief so poignant, that its effect had nearly proved fatal to himself.

About the middle of July, Sir William Hamilton being desirous that Lord Nelson should accompany him into Wales, for the purpose of viewing Milford Haven, and the improvements at Milford, which the Honourable Mr. Greville had made on his uncle Sir William's estate, under the powers of an act of parliament pa.s.sed in 1790, a party was formed, consisting of his lords.h.i.+p, Sir William and Lady Hamilton, and Dr.

Nelson, the present earl, with his lady and son. In compliment to his heroic friend, Sir William had resolved to establish, at Milford, a fair, or annual festival, on the 1st of August; and his nephew, the Honourable Mr. Greville, kindly undertook to make every requisite preparation for receiving them on the joyous occasion.

The party reached Oxford the first day, being Wednesday, the 21st of July; where, by appointment, they were met by Mr. and Mrs. Matcham, with their eldest son, George Matcham, Jun. Esq. The Oxonians received his lords.h.i.+p with great joy; and, on Thursday, the freedom of the corporation was presented to Lord Nelson in a gold box, by Richard Weston, Esq. mayor of that city, who addressed his lords.h.i.+p, on the occasion, in a very respectful speech; and Lord Nelson expressed, in the warmest and strongest terms, his high sense of the honour, and his earnest wishes for the happiness of the city, and the prosperity of the public service. On Friday morning, in full convocation, the university not only complimented Lord Nelson, and his friend Sir William Hamilton, with the honorary degree of LL.D. but liberally admitted his lords.h.i.+p's brother, the present earl, who had already taken his degree of D.D. at Cambridge, _ad eundem_--that is, to the same honour in Oxford. Lord Nelson, and Sir William Hamilton, were severally presented by Dr.

Blackstone, Vinerian Professor of Law; and the Reverend William Nelson, of Christ's College, and Doctor of Divinity in the University of Cambridge, by Dr. Collinson, Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity.

Nothing, in short, could surpa.s.s the respect experienced by his lords.h.i.+p and friends at Oxford; from whence, highly gratified, they the same day proceeded to Woodstock, with an intention of viewing Blenheim.

It might have been expected, that his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, himself descended from a British hero of the first cla.s.s, and inhabiting a magnificent palace, the honourable boon of his country, would have joyfully availed himself of the opportunity thus afforded by the presence of a man certainly not inferior to his own heroic ancestor, so near as even at Oxford, and politely requested the honour of entertaining such a guest. This, however, had not been done; and Lord Nelson, with his friends, put up at an inn in Woodstock; from whence they went to Blenheim, as strangers, for the purpose of viewing the internal attractions of art, in that grand but ponderous national pile.

The family never made their appearance; but sent a servant with refreshments, which Lord Nelson proudly refused. As the duke was at home, his lords.h.i.+p thought, no doubt, that he ought, at least, to have come forward. Sir William Hamilton said that, if the shade of the Great Marlborough could arise, he would have done the honours to the victor of Aboukir, a greater victor than himself! Lady Hamilton finely remarked--with a spirit and energy forcibly depicting the grand character of that superlative mind which renders her, at once, the idol and idoliser of transcendent genius and valour--that "the splendid reward of Marlborough's services, was because a woman reigned, and women had great souls: and I," says her ladys.h.i.+p, for these are her own matchless words, "told Nelson that, if I had been a queen, after the battle of Aboukir, he should have had a princ.i.p.ality, so that Blenheim Park should have been only as a kitchen garden to it! The tears came into his eyes, and he shook Sir William and me by the hand; saying, that he was content to have done his duty by the country, and the people, that he loved, and he hoped we should ever approve his conduct; but that, yet, he had not half done, for there were two or three beds of laurels in the Mediterranean to be gathered."

It was in this way, that these exalted friends of their country, and of each other, consoled themselves on all occasions, where they met with any of that incivility or ingrat.i.tude, which few persons of eminent worth fail to experience in the world. That the Duke of Marlborough should have come forward, and welcomed the hero to Blenheim, cannot well be disputed; but his grace, who is said to be of a shy and retiring disposition, could not, it seems probable, prevail on himself to forego the ceremonials of introductory etiquette, and might thus give considerable offence to his lords.h.i.+p and friends, without intending them the smallest personal disrespect.