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. Full hand-addressed free frank, measuring 9 x 7.25 unfolded, with panel measuring 4.75 x 3.25, addressed by Nelson, “Merton, January fourteenth, 1803, George Matcham, Esq’r, 19 Kensington Place, Bath,” and franked in the lower left, “Nelson & Bronte.” The frank appears on the reverse of the final page of an interesting four- to seven-page letter written by Francis Oliver to Nelson’s brother-in-law George Matcham, discussing the relative merits of Vienna and Dresden, stating that both cities are “exceedingly pleasant cheap and healthy” but with preference for the first (“Vienna is far preferable to settle at”). Other topics include: “the shortest cheapest way to Vienna” and the city’s suburbs, and the dismissal of the idea of living in Dresden, claiming to give Nelson’s opinion—“His Lordship will tell you the same that you would soon be tired of Dresden”; opinions on the weather, houses, theaters, servants, servant’s wages, crime (“high-way footpad rob[b]eries, or house breaking are seldom heard of”), water, bathing, taxes (“are very easy on housekeepers not 1/10th of what tis here”), education, summer evening entertainment, butcher’s meat, fish (“Even Sir Wm [Hamilton] is of the number of its admirers”), fruit, bread and table wine. He ends his arguments by stating, “My Lord, My Lady H. and Mr Cadogan have the same partiality for Vienna as I have myself. I can refer you to them & many others with safety,” and concludes his letter by describing his position with Nelson: “Of myself I have only to say, that the greatest happiness of my life is to be well with my great & good Patron Ld N. My supreme delight is to serve him & his,” noting that Matcham is “welcome to two months of my time, for the journey & to see you settled,” and offering the additional “service of his wife.” In very good condition, with a tear to the top panel (extending through the date), some stray ink to the upper right, and two small areas of paper loss where the seal was removed; Nelson’s signature is quite bold and impressive.
Francis Oliver, who served as a secretary to Sir William Hamilton in Naples, has been described by historian Michael Nash as ‘a shadowy bit-player in the Nelson story.’ When Nelson and the Hamiltons reached Vienna during their tour of Europe in 1800, they were reacquainted with Oliver, who had settled in there. As noted by Nash, Oliver acted as a confidential courier between Nelson and Emma, especially around the time of the birth of Horatia; one letter even carried the note, “I daresay that Oliver will faithfully deliver this letter.” He remained connected to the family after the death of Nelson, but by 1809 he was quarreling violently with Emma Hamilton, and Matcham found himself drawn into this feud. It is now believed that, as a result of this quarrel, Oliver undertook the publication of the love letters between Nelson and Emma, an act that did tremendous damage to Emma’s reputation.
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