Beschreibung:

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Horatio Nelson') to 'Excellency Governor Orde' [Sir John Orde, 1st Bart, Governor of Dominica], Boreas , English Harbour, 4 September 1786, 2 pages, 4to , docketed by recipient. Provenance : Sir John Orde, 1st Bart; and by descent. 'I AM LOADED WITH YOUNGSTERS'. Orde has sent a letter by a relative, 'Mr Orde', whom Nelson regrets he cannot offer a position on the Boreas , as 'I am loaded with Youngsters many more than I ought ever to sett off with Again'. He has however entered young Mr Orde on Boreas 's books so that he will be able to record the 'time served': 'Time being served is a great object and many young men have lost promotion by want of it'. The letter concludes with a message regarding the display of pennants on government vessels, which should only be those of the Royal Navy, and with assurances that Orde's brig is 'snug and safe'. After a distinguished record in the American War from 1775 to 1781, John Orde was a most successful governor of Dominica from 1783 to 1790, a service for which he received his baronetcy. He and Nelson were later to clash over Orde's monopolising of prizes off Cadiz in 1804.