tle of the
Nile. It would have taken one month at least to fit those ships
for a passage to Gibraltar, and not at a great expense to
government, but with the loss to the service of at least two
sail of the line. I therefore feel confident that the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty will, under the present
circumstances, direct that a fair value shall be paid for those
ships. I have farther thought it my duty to tell the squadron
the necessity I am under, for the benefit of the King's service,
to order their property to be destroyed; but that I had no doubt
but that government would make a liberal allowance. I have
therefore directed such stores as could, without taking too much
time, be saved from them, and ordered the hulls to be burned.

I have the honour to be, &c.
HORATIO NELSON.

To Evan Nepean, Esq.

The journal of Sir James is thus resumed:

"We again weighed anchor, Wednesday noon; and although with a contrary
wind, and ships in a crippled state, we had the good fortune to clear
the land in the night without accident, and next day lost sight of our
ships in the Nile. Since that period we have not made any great
progress; but we have no reason to complain, and I trust a favourable
wind will in due time waft us down the Mediterranean.

"_A present, un petit mot sur ma sante._ In the first place, too great
exertion for two or three days after being under sail, certainly
retarded my perfect recovery, and, added to the excessive heat of the
weather, threw me into a sort of languor that required the three last
days' rest and composure to shake off. I am now, thank God! as well as
ever; and when I consider that every day shortens my distance from
you, my happiness is daily increasing. I have much more to say, _mais
en voila assez pour le present_; and as there is abundance of time
before this can be despatched, _il faut le remettre pour un autre
jour: ainsi adieu_!

"Sunday, August 19th.--I was indeed surprised to find Lyme the place
fixed for your residence; and, on reflection, approve of it highly, as
I believe it is a very healthy place; but more particularly as I hope
to send you a line in going up Channel, and possibly take you to
Spithead. Judge, therefore, the _selfish_ motives by which I am
actuated, and scold me if you can.

"I was happy our dear boy had reached home before the close of your
last letter, and am charmed with your account of him. Having
u