[Military History] Nelson, Horatio. Autograph Letter, signed

No place, no date (Presumably off of Toulon, aboard the HMS Victory, ca. 1803). Four (of six) full pages on bifolium, 9 1/4 x 7 1/2 in. (235 x 190 mm). Fragment of an autograph letter, signed by Horatio Nelson ("Nelson"), to his lover, Emma, Lady Hamilton, regarding the appointment of prize agents, as well containing Nelson's candid remarks regarding a Mrs. Denis, a family friend. Creasing from old folds; light scattered spotting. In quarter burgundy niger solander box and chemise; with three printed portraits of Nelson and Emma, as well as a typed transcription.

"teazed me more than a little, and to say the truth I am so situated between [Alexander] Davison and Mr. [William] Marsh that I do not think that I ever can name an agent again. I have had many and great obligations to both of them, and I never put a Sixpence in Mr. Marsh's pocket, Davison it has been twice in my power say he has touched (besides the use of the money which you may lay at 10,000 £) full 15000 £ and when I told Davison how I was situated with Mr. Marsh & that I wished to name them together D[aviso]n. declined it & said whatever you do let me stand alone, I may never have the power of naming one alone for Secretary, and other Ad[mira]ls. will naturally look to the compliment being also paid them of joining together, therefore if Davison will never be joined I see but little chance of my being able to name him alone and indeed Captains have naturally so many friends of their own that it is not to be expected I have wrote Davison pretty near as much as some time ago, but he may be assured that I shall never omit an opportunity when it can be done with propriety and I am sure he is too much my friend to wish to place me in difficulty, but keep this to yourself--I will for a moment suppose a case which may happen we take the french fleet the Captains name the three Secretarys (sic) and pay me perhaps the compliment of asking me to name a person in England to do the business I should of course wish to join Mr. Davison & Mr. Marsh it would hurt me for him to refuse to be joined with Mr. Marsh and the Secretary here and yet he would do it. I know he would give up the proposition and only ask to have his name stand alone but neither the captors or the other parties could agree to it, therefore I know of no other way but not taking the french fleet, and that would be very hard upon me but I have done with that subject. What is it my dear Emma that Mr. Denis thinks that I can be useful to Mr. D[eni]s. in at Civita Vecchia no prizes can be carried in there even if the Pope would allow it nobody would trust their property under the Popes (sic) care therefore I know of nothing I shall never have any communication with that place indeed now Lord Bristol is dead it cannot be an object for them to go out the pay will not hire their lodgings and there can be no trade till the peace I really respect him but Madame has not a little of the Blarney, what Mr. somebodys (sic) maid said of her is true enough She is as deep as a draw well & would buy & sell you if she could get any thing for herself by it, the Devil directs her, however you know we are all good friends & say every thing for me to her, (Damned pimping Bitch) you know my opinions and we do not differ much but it is good to have her tongue as much as possible on the right side how ridiculous her going to a masquerade she fancys (sic) herself like you damn me if I believe it no nothing in this World can be like my own dear Emma's She is perfection in every part my adored Emma She like you, She be damned for her vanity, Oh my dearest sweet angelic Emma be all Your Nelson--"

Partially published in Thomas Joseph Pettigrew's Memoirs of the life of Vice-Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson (London, 1849, Vol. II, pp. 336-337)--omitting Nelson's remarks on Mrs. Denis.

British Naval Commander Lord Nelson (1758-1805) writes to his lover, Emma, Lady Hamilton (1765-1815), likely penned while stationed in the Mediterranean Sea, off of Toulon, France, where Nelson served as commander-in-chief of the British fleet in the Mediterranean Sea that enforced a blockade on France during the French Revolutionary Wars. Here, Nelson discusses with Emma business relations with his two prize agents Alexander Davison (1750-1829) and William Marsh (1755-1846). Davison was a close and confidential friend of Nelson's, and was appointed by Nelson to be his prize agent following the Battle of the Nile (1798). Marsh was a London-based banker and businessman that fulfilled contracts with the Royal Navy, and became a prize agent that managed Lord Nelson's finances. The end of the letter sees Nelson pen explosive remarks against a Mrs. Denis, a singer and family friend of Emma's.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Sotheby's, New York, Valuable Printed Books, Autograph Letters, and Historical Documents, October 28, 1968, Lot 413

Francis Edwards, London

John Howell, San Francisco

From the private library of Brooke Astor, New York

[Military History] Nelson, Horatio. Autograph Letter, signed