~ Large And Important 1803 Dated Letter Signed By Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson ~
The letter is written in Nelsons secretaries (John Scott) and signed by Nelson himself (as Nelson of Bronte). Both were later killed at the battle of Trafalgar in exactly the same spot on board HMS Victory. Scott was cut in half by one of the first cannon balls to reach HMS Victory and his body was thrown overboard, as was the custom at the time. When Nelson was shot through his shoulder by a French marksman, he fell in exactly the same spot. The blood that stained Ne;sons breeches, now displayed in the National Maritime Museum, was Scott’s, not Nelson’s as often is supposed.
The first paragraph of the letter lists Nelsons honour and records he is “The commander in chief of his Majesty’s ships and vessels employed and to be employed in the Mediterranean”.
The second paragraph is to instruct Captain John C(hambers) White of HMS Renown that he is to be placed under Nelsons command. Whites details are in the lower, left corner.
The letter states that it was written on board HMS Amphion off Cape Finisterre on the 30th of May 1803. HMS Amphion was the Royal Navy frigate that transported Nelson to take command of the Mediteranean fleet.
Underneath are the signatures of Nelson (signed as Nelson of Bronte) and also withnessed by John Scott.
The reverse side of the neatly folded letter simpy states “30th May 1803 Lord Nelson’s Order to Captain White to find himself himself under his command”.
Quite a while back, the letter was agreed as correct, by Colin White, the sadly deceased and much loved former director of the Royal Navy Museum.
~ Condition ~
Please refer to the images for the condition.
~ Dimensions ~
The letter is 33cm (13 inches) tall and 20.5 cm (8 inches) wide.
