NELSON, Horatio, Viscount, letters, autographs, documents, manuscripts



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NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Vice-admiral.
Autograph Letter Signed (with the left hand, 'Nelson & Bronte') to captain Sir Edward [Berry], 1 page 4to (old repair to split in centre fold), Merton, 8 June 1802. Concerning a case relating, not unusually, to prize money.

'I sent your case to a friend of mine Dr: Fisher of the Commons and send you his opinion, therefore I suppose you will direct your agent to sett about the needful. My evidence can be taken as it is the most proper, with all the circumstances from first to last, all here join in good wishes for your health. ...'
Sir Edward Berry is believed to have been the only naval officer of the time except Collingwood who had by the end of his career won three medals, having served in three general actions, namely the Nile, Trafalgar and San Domingo.

The present letter is printed (with the usual 'corrections' to the punctuation) by Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas (Dispatches and Letters, vol. V, page 15), from a copy in the Nelson Papers. It was written during a comparatively long period of rest for Nelson, who was in residence at Merton Place with Emma Hamilton and her husband, Sir William. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean Fleet on 14 May the following year, two days before war was declared on France.
[No: 25490]

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