Nelson, Horatio. Important autograph letter signed, ("Nelson & Bronte"), 4 pages (9 ½ x 7 ½ in.; 241 x 191 mm.), "Victory, Ma...

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Nelson, Horatio. Important autograph letter signed, ("Nelson & Bronte"), 4 pages (9 ½ x 7 ½ in.; 241 x 191 mm.), "Victory, Madalena Islands," 7 November 1803 to Major William A. Villetes, commanding at Malta; browned, repair to page folds and minute paper losses at intersecting folds. After being given command of the Mediterranean following Britain's renewal of hostilities with France after the treaty of Amiens, Nelson contemplates the thought and motives of Napoleon as well as foretells of the coming war with Spain and the effect that the rumors of Napoleon's impending invasion of England is having on recruits. Nelson writes in part: The enemy are now eight sail of the line perfectly ready and they are pressing every man to complete the frigates...I trust they will not escape us. I agree with you that unless Buonaparte is absolutely mak and that the people about him ate likewise so that he will not wish to throw Sicily into our hands in order to revenge himself of the King of Naples much less force Spain into a war which must so much injure the French cause. It matters not being at war with Spain. We may be forced to go to war with her for her compliance to the French but I can never believe that Buonaparts councillors are such fools as to force Spain to begin...the war would not cost us one farthing more that at present. Until the idea of the invasion is a little blown over I fear we shall see no recruits. Lord St. Vincent to me says (in my line) we can give you neither ships nor men at present, and the folks at home take care not to overload us with dispatches...I intend to leave this anchorage on Wednesday and get home again... When England reopened hostilities with France in the Spring of 1803 after a brief peace (of Amiens), one of her first acts was to seize Malta contrary to the treaty of Amiens. Nelson was given command of the entire Mediterranean, superseding Villetes, who was placed in command of Malta. Since July, Nelson had been blockading the French port of Toulon which lasted until 1805 when the French fleet escaped. They were pursued to the West Indies and back to Europe where the campaign climaxed with Nelson's great victory at Trafalgar, which also ended his life aboard the Victory. At the time, France was receiving subsidies from Spain and almost a year after this letter Britain began to take ships bound for Spain with bullion, thus provoking war with Spain. Napoleon had also assembled his "Army of England" in the Boulogne area and was planning for an invasion of Britain. Rumors of the invasion caused competition among the Militia, Army and Navy for recruits. A stirring letter in which Nelson talks of Napoleon's motives, foretells of the future war with Spain, and alludes to the impending invasion of Britain as only a rumor.