Nelson "almost blind" and in "very great pain".- Nelson (Horatio, Viscount Nelson, naval officer, 1758-1805) Autograph Letter signed "Horatio Nelson" and written with his right hand to Francis Drake, British Minister at Genoa, 4 pages, sm. 4to, Vado Bay (near Genoa), "Noon" 6th August 1795, in command of a small detached squadron supporting the Austrian army and blockading Genoa, contemptuously dismissing a "most impudent proposal" of Mr. Martin's for a convoy; explaining the disposition of his "Cruizers... the disposition & acts of my Cruizers will soon prove incontestibly that Genoa is not blockaded, as all vessels will arrive in perfect security, which are not French or loaded with French property... Cruizers off Cape Corse or Straights of Bonnafacio will not stop the trade so well as where I have placed them, was I to remove those ships on the Especia side of the Gulph nothing could prevent the escape of the French Squadron & any Convoy they may chuse to carry with them... I have been very careful to give no Offence to the Genoese territority or flag..."; discussing the obligations and rights of the Genoese as neutrals, claiming that his actions in no way infringe their neutrality; insisting that his cruisers must operate close to Genoa itself so as to protect English and Allied trade from being attacked by French privateers; referring to orders received from Admiral Hotham for blockading all French ports, and concluding with the admission, "I am almost blind and it is with very great pain I write this letter", with "Copied" in a secretary's hand at head, a few small tears starting along folds. ⁂ An important letter in which Nelson discusses the situation with regard to the blockade of Genoa, nominally neutral but increasingly under French control. On 12 July 1794 Nelson was at the siege of Calvi, Corsica, and was wounded in the face by stones thrown up by an enemy shot, and was blinded in his right eye. Calvi surrendered on 10 August. Over a year later he would describe himself as being blind and in "very great pain". Provenance: Mostly published in The Dispatches and Letters, edited by Nicolas. Francis Drake (1764-1821), British diplomat; held positions at Genoa and Munich during the Napoleonic Wars.
Nelson "almost blind" and in "very great pain".- Nelson (Horatio, Viscount Nelson, naval officer, 1758-1805) Autograph Letter signed "Horatio Nelson" and written with his right hand to Francis Drake, British Minister at Genoa, 4 pages, sm. 4to, Vado Bay (near Genoa), "Noon" 6th August 1795, in command of a small detached squadron supporting the Austrian army and blockading Genoa, contemptuously dismissing a "most impudent proposal" of Mr. Martin's for a convoy; explaining the disposition of his "Cruizers... the disposition & acts of my Cruizers will soon prove incontestibly that Genoa is not blockaded, as all vessels will arrive in perfect security, which are not French or loaded with French property... Cruizers off Cape Corse or Straights of Bonnafacio will not stop the trade so well as where I have placed them, was I to remove those ships on the Especia side of the Gulph nothing could prevent the escape of the French Squadron & any Convoy they may chuse to carry with them... I have been very careful to give no Offence to the Genoese territority or flag..."; discussing the obligations and rights of the Genoese as neutrals, claiming that his actions in no way infringe their neutrality; insisting that his cruisers must operate close to Genoa itself so as to protect English and Allied trade from being attacked by French privateers; referring to orders received from Admiral Hotham for blockading all French ports, and concluding with the admission, "I am almost blind and it is with very great pain I write this letter", with "Copied" in a secretary's hand at head, a few small tears starting along folds. ⁂ An important letter in which Nelson discusses the situation with regard to the blockade of Genoa, nominally neutral but increasingly under French control. On 12 July 1794 Nelson was at the siege of Calvi, Corsica, and was wounded in the face by stones thrown up by an enemy shot, and was blinded in his right eye. Calvi surrendered on 10 August. Over a year later he would describe himself as being blind and in "very great pain". Provenance: Mostly published in The Dispatches and Letters, edited by Nicolas. Francis Drake (1764-1821), British diplomat; held positions at Genoa and Munich during the Napoleonic Wars.
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
