Highly esteemed British admiral (1758–1805) best known for his participation in the Napoleonic Wars, during which, in the Battle of Trafalgar, he lost his life. Upper half of an LS, one page both sides, 8 x 6.25, July 22, 1798. Letter, written on board the HMS Vanguard, to the master of the HMS Orion Minotaur. In part: “John Payton…of His Majesty’s Ship Defence having by the letter of yesterday’s date acquainted me that the Purser of His Majesty’s…of and if found as represented you will order the same into the charge & Custody of the Boatswain of the said Ship reporting to me from under your hand.” Letter continues on the reverse, “of and if found as represented you will Order the same into the charge & Custody of the Boatswain of the said Ship, reporting to me from under your hand your proceeding therein. Given on board His Majesty’s Ship Vanguard Syracuse 22d July 1798. To the Masters of His Majesty’s Ships Orion Minotaur.” In good condition, with ink spot over portion of first name of signature, intersecting folds, two passing through single letters of signature, with partial tape repair to separation along central horizontal fold, scattered toning and soiling, a few other ink spots, as well as a small burn mark to top edge.
When Nelson wrote this letter, his fleet had just reached Syracuse on the island of Sicily. “I have not been able to find the French Fleet, to my great mortification,” he wrote at the time to his wife. Nelson’s fleet had narrowly missed the French in June in Alexandria, and heading north, reached the coast of Anatolia before continuing to Sicily in July. In this letter, Nelson mentions the HMS Vanguard and HMS Orion Minotaur, both Royal Navy 74-gun ships of the line. The day after this correspondence, Nelson left Syracuse, and on August 1, 1798, he finally found the French fleet off Alexandria, beginning the Battle of the Nile. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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