Lot 6: NELSON, HORATIO,

LORD.
LETTER SIGNED (''NELSON & BRONTE'') TO SIR ROBERT BARLOW

captain of HMS Triumph, ordering him to take HMS Kent and to proceed with a transport (HMS Thetis) to the Bay of Rosas, there to load onto Kent "the Wine &c. which may be remaining on board the said Transport for the use of the Fleet", then leave the Thetis ("...for the purposes mentioned in my Order to the Commander...") and rejoin Nelson "on Rendevous Number 100"; 2 pages, folio, endorsed on integral blank, HMS Victory, 13 April 1804, framed; minor spotting, not examined out of frame

NOTE

Sir Robert Barlow (1757-1843) was one of Nelson's captains during his Mediterranean command, having commanded the Triumph (74 guns) since 1801. His connection to the Nelson family was to be long-lasting: his daughter Hilaire married William, first Earl Nelson, in 1828.

This letter was written during Nelson's lengthy blockade of Toulon, which demanded his constant attention to the maintenance of supply lines. Nelson's order to the Thetis is not known to survive, but she was probably required to assist in Rosas following the destruction of HMS Hindostan by fire there on 2 April 1802.