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Horatio Nelson Autograph Letter Signed...
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Description
Horatio Nelson Autograph Letter Signed "Horatio Nelson." One page of a bifolium, 7.5" x 9.25", no place; October 16, 1798. Addressed to Sir William Hamilton, regarding a mutiny within Bonaparte's army. It reads in full:"As I send you on Capt. Hoods letters &c. I shall refer you to Capt. Waller for particulars, he will tell you of the mutiny in Bonaparte's army and of the distress for provisions at Alexandria. God Bless you my Dear Sir William and believe me your oblig'd & affectionate -Horatio Nelson."
The Mediterranean campaign of 1798 was a series of operations conducted by the French navy sent to Egypt by Napoleon Bonaparte. The French navy set off in May 1798 and were quickly pursued by Nelson's forces. Following the Battle of the Nile in early August, Nelson had all but destroyed the French navy and Napoleon was effectively trapped in Egypt. The British, with the help of Portuguese, Russian, and Ottoman allies, set up a blockade, resulting in the French's lack of provisions that Nelson writes about.
Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, was the best-known British flag officer in the Napoleonic Wars. He served in the Royal Navy for most of his life and won a number of significant victories, most notably the Battle of Copenhagen, the Battle of the Nile, and the Battle of Trafalgar. A year prior to this letter being written, in 1797, Nelson was hit in the right arm by a musket ball during the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Most of the right arm was amputated and for the rest of his life, Nelson would excuse himself for not writing longer letters due to being left-handed. It was also around the time of this letter that Nelson began his affair with Sir William's wife, Emma. It is believed that Hamilton tolerated and even perhaps encouraged the couple's relationship, and the two men remained good friends. Nelson and Lady Hamilton would go on to have a daughter, Horatia.
Condition: Flattened mail folds with light toning throughout. Soiling and staining at edges, particularly along the left edge. A small number of separations at the spine. Mounting residue at the spine edge on verso.
Auction Info
2020 April 22 Historical Manuscripts Signature Auction - Dallas #6223 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2020
22nd
Wednesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 15
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