Beschreibung:

Nelson (Horatio, 1758-1805). British Admiral during the Napoleonic Wars, the victor of the Battle of Trafalgar, 1805. Autograph Letter Signed, 'Nelson & Bronte', [H.M.S.] Amazon, Downs, 17 October 1801, to Sir Thomas Rich, recalling their meeting in 1784 and stressing the importance to Nelson of such long-standing friendships, 'I do remember you perfectly well, for when I was in 1784 going out in the Boreas to the West Indies you had the goodness to ask me to dinner with you at Plymouth, and My dear Sir it is from those times that I value my acquaintance, and not those who are pleased to become acquainted with me now I am fortunate in the World', Nelson begins the letter with a discussion of the prospects for promotion of 'so meritorious an officer as Lieut. Owen' now that the war has ended, and ends with a promise to speak to Lord St Vincent on Owen's behalf, 2 pages with 2 lines and signature and name of recipient on the third page, a little browning and a few discreet and skilful fold repairs, 4to, together with the original signed autograph address wrapper with Nelson's seal in black wax, postmarked at Deal, 19 October 1801, some spotting and browning, fraying along folds with archival tissue repairs not affecting text, 4to (Quantity: 2) Admiral Sir Thomas Rich, 5th Baronet (c. 1733-1803) was a British naval officer and Member of Parliament. 'Lieut. Owen' is likely Vice Admiral William Fitzwilliam Owen (1774-1857), who was made a Lieutenant in 1796 and who served under Nelson at his failed attack on Boulogne in 1801. This unpublished letter was written at the end of a frustrating period for Nelson following the brief campaign during which he suffered his only French defeat. Nelson was onboard the Amazon (a 38-gun frigate under Captain Samuel Sutton) as Vice Admiral, off the port of Deal, and was eagerly awaiting the discharge that would enable him to join Emma (and her husband Sir William Hamilton at Merton, the house which Emma had bought for him during his absence.