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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 125

(x) Lord Horatio Nelson autograph letter to his cousin, written aboard H.M.S. Victory in January 1804

Autograph letter addressed to his cousin, William Suckling Esq., written by Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson and typically signed ‘Nelson & Bronte’, Victory, dated 11 January 1804, pinholes and tears along folds, minor paper loss and larger tears to reverse, stains, despite delicate condition text is largely unobstructed and is clear and legible

“My Dear Suckling,

I am much obliged by your kind letter of Nov. 1st which I rec. two days ago. William is a very good boy I have placed him with a most Excellent man who has a regular school Capt. Donnelly in the Narcissus Frigate and I hear very good accounts of him.

I am glad you are removed to a situation which pleases you and Mrs. Suckling but I should think more expensive for a family than some others. I feel much obliged to Mr. Yorke not so much for the thing as for his very handsome manner of doing it. I shall see your son in about a week when he shall have his letter, the Box or parcel for him of which I have an account is coming out in the Convoy with my trunk. With my kind respects to Mrs. Suckling and believe me always Dear Suckling your affectionate relation

Nelson & Bronte”

Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson was to meet his end aboard the Victory, the same ship on whose decks he penned this letter, just under two years later in the famous sea battle off the coast of Cape Trafalgar in October 1805. Nelson had been assigned to Victory in May 1803 and at the time of this letter being written was with her blockading Toulon in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean. January 1804 saw Nelson and Victory off the coast of Spain, where he was monitoring Spanish preparations for war. His long blockade of the French along the coast of Toulon was successful in preventing the French from reaching England and disrupting trade. Nelson maintained a loose blockade in an attempt to lure out French forces and meet them in battle, ensuring his ships always had stores enough to give chase if needed. Nelson had his battle after French Admiral Villeneuve evaded the blockade during a storm in March 1805 and made for the West Indies, along with their Spanish allies. Nelson’s chase of the combined enemy forces culminated in the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805, when Nelson’s fleet met and crushed the combined enemy in a stunning victory, though at the cost of his own life.

William Sucking was one of Nelson’s cousins through his mother, Catherine Suckling. Though his mother died when Nelson was just nine years old, he sustained good relations with her family throughout his life. The start of his career in the Royal Navy is thanks to the patronage of his uncle, Captain Maurice Suckling, who procured young Horatio a position as Midshipman. This letter itself functions as an excellent example of the workings of patronage in the Royal Navy, illustrating how Nelson used his own status to obtain positions for members of his family. Whilst his young relation was serving with Narcissus in early 1804, she was part of Nelson’s squadron blockading Toulon.




Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£1,800 to £2,200

Starting price
£1400