NELSON, Horatio, Viscount, letters, autographs, documents, manuscripts



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NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Vice-admiral.
Signature ('Nelson & Bronte') from a letter dated from the Victory, 10 October 1805, rather browned, split in the centre and laid down on old card. The letter, in a secretary's hand (probably John Scott), includes the words in a postscript 'double Pendants are used ... hoisted where best seen'.
Although this appears a rather insignificant fragment and in poor condition, it dates from the crucial period leading up to Trafalgar when Nelson was sailing off Cadiz, keeping his distance in order to encourage Villeneuve to bring the French fleet out. The enemy emerged on the 19th and two days later the battle began, Nelson lost his life, and victory was secured.
 No fewer than twenty-three letters from 10 October 1805 are printed by Nicolas (Dispatches and Letters, Vol. 7, 1846, pages 97-110), but this postscript does not appear on any of them. It seems likely that it came from a dispatch to the captains of the fleet.
[No: 22417]


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