either be dismayed or deterred from any act which he considered as
forming part of his positive duty.

Though he had thus offended most of the heads of distributive justice,
and the demons of the law were accordingly let loose on him, before the
first vessel's complaint was brought to trial, he had seized four others
under similar predicaments. On these occasions, too, having ordered the
masters on board his ship, to examine them; and sent marines to take
forcible possession of their vessels, without allowing any person
whatever to go on shore; he had many different actions brought against
him, for detention, false imprisonment, &c. and damages laid, in the
various causes, at the enormous sum of forty thousand pounds!

The consequence was, that he remained a close prisoner on board his own
ship eight weeks, to prevent being arrested for a sum which it would
have been impossible for him to have found bail.

When the trial came on, he was protected, for the day, by the judge. The
marshal, however, was engaged to arrest him, and the merchants promised
to indemnify that officer for the act: but, the judge having declared
that he would send him to prison, if he dared take such a step, he
thought proper to desist.

Let it, however, never be forgotten, that Captain Nelson had the good
fortune to find an honest lawyer; and, that the President of Nevis
offered the court to become his bail for ten thousand pounds, if he
chose to suffer the caption! The worthy president declared, that Captain
Nelson had done only his duty; and, though himself suffered more in
proportion than any of them, he could not possibly blame him.

Thus, supported by an upright judge, an honest attorney, and a sincere
and opulent friend, after a trial of two days, he carried his cause, and
the American vessels were condemned.

As a last resource, when under the terrors of the law, the only terrors
his heroic mind ever felt, he had transmitted a memorial to his majesty;
who, immediately, says Captain Nelson, "had the goodness to order me to
be defended at his expence; and sent orders to Mr. Shirley to afford me
every assistance in the execution of my duty: referring him to my
letters, &c. as there was, in them, what concerned him not to have
suffered."

This kindness was particularly grateful, as it manifested the fullest
approbation of Captain Nelson's conduct; but he felt far from being
pleased to find, that the chief praise bestowed by government o