Malta. 1800 (Mar 20) Letter written by Nelson’s secretary John Scott, “Foudroyant Palermo, 20th March 1800, Sir I have received your letter relative to your supplying the squadron off Malta with Fresh Beef and signifying your intention to give it up on the 31st of this month, the prices which you have stated are in my opinion very reasonable, and should no person be got who will furnish supplies on cheaper terms, and you find you cannot afford to do it at the present price, I have no objections to allowing what Governor Ball and (the) other respectable inhabitants at Malta may consider a reasonable price, this you will communicate to Commodore Troubridge, I am sir your most obed. humble servant”, signed in Nelson’s hand “Bronte Nelson of the Nile”, the word “the” in the final sentence also crossed out by Nelson. The address panel also written by Scott “On His Majestys Service, Mr Thomas Alldridge, Malta” with “Bronte Nelson” copy signature, wax impressed seal. The French invaded Malta in June 1798 but the Maltese soon revolted and by September the French were besieged within the bastion of Valletta; in October British and Portuguese ships began a blockade of the island, the ships including H.M.S “Alexander” (Captain Alexander Ball), “Culloden” (Commodore Thomas Troubridge) and “Vanguard” (Admiral Nelson). By November 1799 Nelson was overseeing the blockade from the Neapolitan Court at Palermo, were he was becoming infatuated with Lady Hamilton, wife of the British Ambassador. On March 31st 1800 a French relief force destined for Malta was defeated by the British Fleet led by Nelson in H.M.S “Foudroyant”. Nelson then returned to Palermo where he was then having an open affair with Lady Hamilton; he sailed to Malta on April 23rd in H.M.S “Foudroyant” with Sir William and Lady Hamilton on board. The French finally surrendered Valletta on September 3rd 1800, Captain Ball being appointed the first Civil Commissioner of Malta in 1799, a post held until 1801. A rare item from Nelson during the blockade of Malta and his affair with Lady Hamilton, and possibly the earliest use of the “Bronte Nelson of the Nile” signature, only used by Nelson for a short time in 1800 following his creation as Duke of Bronte. Some edge staining, the written letter, address panel and autograph largely unaffected and fine, not in the published letters of Lord Nelson by N.H. Nicolas. Photo on Page 81.
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