Previously unseen Nelson seasickness letter

Tony · **Posted:** Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:15 pm

A previously unseen Nelson letter describing his seasickness goes on display for a month at Tunbridge Wells Museum today: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20662931

Also see: http://tunbridgewells.so/my-town/lord-nelson-letter

Starhawk · **Joined:** Sat Jan 21, 2012 10:41 pm **Posts:** 151

I can't find a full transcript anywhere, just tantalising quotes

Anyone live nearby fancy going and copying it out for us :lol:

I still find it amazing how often 'unseen' letters crop up.

appear · **Joined:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 5:51 pm **Posts:** 62

Starhawk wrote:

I can't find a full transcript anywhere, just tantalising quotes

Anyone live nearby fancy going and copying it out for us :lol:

I still find it amazing how often 'unseen' letters crop up.

I have taken the easy route and telephoned and emailed the museum. They were most helpful and the Collections Management Officer has sent the transcript of the letter.

Many thanks to the Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery for the following copy of the recently found letter. If you use this material they ask you to credit as follows. Letter content by courtesy of Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery.

Quote:

Victory Oct. 11th 1804
Private

My Dear Lord

Your kind favour of augst
29th: I received by Capt: Leake and trust
ful much flattered by your Lordships
good opinion of me, and although I
am sensible that you attatch much
more importance to any opinions of
mine than they can be worth yet as
they all desired I shall venture to give
them in the way in which things may
appear to me without presuming to think
that my judgement is correct, I have written
to Lord Harrowby in answer to his letter
about
Earl Camden K.S

(new page)

Sardinia therefore it is unnecessary to
trouble your Lordship, but as I shall be
In England nearly as soon as this letter
I shall be ready & willing to give you and
His Majesty other ministers all the infor:
:mation whou(?) any subject which you or
they may think I possess – and I assure you
there are few if any that have a higher
opinion of their abilities than myself
I send your Lordship a letter about
Algiers no harm can come any way till
Next Spring by leaving things as they are
It was not my Dear Lord my fault
that your Nephew left the Victory but

(new page)

if he did not admire the profession
I am sure there can be no comfort
‘S, that I know from experience for
I am ill every time it blows hard
and nothing but my enthusiastic love
for the profession keeps me one hour
at sea,
I am my Dear Lord
With the Highest Respect
Your Most Obedient Servant
Nelson &Bronte

Starhawk · **Joined:** Sat Jan 21, 2012 10:41 pm **Posts:** 151

Oh thankyou! I feel a bit silly for not thinking to ask the museum directly :oops:

Quote:

I shall be ready & willing to give you and
His Majesty other ministers all the infor:
:mation whou(?) any subject which you or
they may think I possess

Might that be 'upon'? Nelson's 'p' does look like a 'h' at times, and 'upon' would make sense in context.

appear · **Joined:** Wed Mar 04, 2009 5:51 pm **Posts:** 62

I am so pleased that you did asked the question.

Yes, 'upon' would make sense.

tycho · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2012 6:56 am

I've sent my thanks to the Museum for their permission to reproduce this letter. I am always delighted by the courtesy and generosity of most museum curators who take enormous trouble to help enquirers. The Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth, the Caird Library and Andrew Helme at the Nelson Museum Monmouth have all given me enormous help.

tycho · **Posted:** Wed Oct 30, 2013 8:42 pm

A little more on this letter that I came across by chance:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-20683547

Matrim · **Joined:** Wed Aug 03, 2011 2:32 pm **Posts:** 77

Interesting and thanks all.

Nelson & His World

Previously unseen Nelson seasickness letter

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