Portsmouth March first 1801
Lady Hamilton
23 Piccadilly
PORTSMOUTH [post stamp]
Nelson London
Slide to transcribe
March 1t: 1801 8 o’clock morng: (morning)
My Dearest friend
fearing that it may not
be possible to get a boat on shore in the after noon
as it has the appearance of blowing hard. I send
this line to apprize you of it that no little matter
may take place in your dear, good and
exalted mind, only always rely that I will
never omit an opportunity of writing –
therefore if at any time reports should come
from the fleet without letters you may be
sure that it is unknown to me. which
may happen from my being detatched
but those not from the same cause as Lord
Keith – not telling me. I have read over
twenty times your dear kind letters, and
although I must naturally be happy that
your affection is such as you describe
and so exactly a counterpart of my own
feelings. Yet I want by that my friend
will nor be Sick or grieve too much
for a temporary but unavoidable absence
Slide to transcribe
of a few weeks, and if we were both differently
circumstanced that should not be – no not
for an hour. but recollect all my executions
are to bring about a peace, no I am sure
you will not go any where but where it is
right. I never to suffer that fellow to enter
your house. I assure you my very short trip
to London has if possible given me an ad:
:ditional (additional) confidence and I believe I never
shall have cause to think otherwise than
I do of you. You read of course my Brothers
letter, and If you like to have Mr: Nelson [i.e. Nelson’s father, Edmund]
up, say that I will pay their Lodgings
and then you can have as much of his
company as you please but Revd: Sir [Reverend; i.e. Edmund Nelson] you will
find a great bore at times therefore he ought
to amuse himself all the mornings, and not
always to dine with you, as Sir William
may not like it. they can twice or thrice
a week have a beef Stake at home.
for some people may say by & bye that Sir Wm: (William)
maintains the family of the Nelsons which
would vex me, I am brushing these
folks by and I do not find that activity
which my mind carries with it. It would
not be possible I fear for you & Sir Willm:
to give me a visit at Yarmouth. It should
Kiss my Godchild
for me & Bless
be no expense to him. tomorrow if we
can get our Ships Company paid to day
we are off for the downs – tell Mr. Thomson
that his friend is more in love with him
than ever, and I believe dreams of him. he is
sorry that she was a little unwell when he was
in London as it deprived him of much pleasure
but he is determined to have full scope when he
next sees her. Ever yours forever
Nelson & Bronte
