.

Milford, August 12th, 1801.

MY DEAR LORD,

Emma has constantly given me every possible intelligence relative to
your Lordship, and the important operations you are about at this most
interesting moment.

You have already calmed the minds of every body with respect to
the threatened French invasion. In short, all your Lordship does is
complete; like yourself, and nobody else. But still, I think, there is
no occasion for the Commander in Chief to expose his person as much
as you do. Why should you not have a private flag, known to your fleet
and not to the enemy, when you shift it and go reconnoitring?

Captain Hopkins, going from hence in the Speedwell cutter to join your
Lordship, will be happy to introduce himself to you by presenting this
letter himself. They give him a good character in this country, but my
acquaintance with him is but of two days.

I was yesterday with Captain Dobbins, in the Diligence cutter. We
sailed out of this glorious harbour; and, the day being fine, sailed
out some leagues, and examined the Crow Rock, which is reckoned the
greatest danger as to entering the harbour. But the two light-houses
lately erected take off all danger in the night; and [it] is visible
in the day-time, except a short time in spring tides.

I am delighted with the improvements at Milford. It will surely be a
great town, if we have peace, in three years; the houses rising up,
like mushrooms, even in these difficult times. We allow any one to
build--at their own expence--at an easy ground-rent, and to fall in at
the expiration of three lives, or sixty years.

You may judge that, having two thousand acres all round the town,
these inhabitants will want land for cows and horses, and gardens, &c.
and, of course, I must be a gainer in the end.

I visited the two light-houses, and found them perfectly clean, and in
good order: and I never could conceive the brilliant light that they
give; one has sixteen reflected lights, and the other ten.

To-day, I go upon my last visit to Lord Milford; and, on Saturday, set
out for Piccadilly: and where I am not without hopes of meeting your
Lordship; as I think, in the manner you dispatch business, you will
have completed all by Wednesday next, the day I shall probably be in
London.

Charles Greville's kind compliments. The name of Nelson is in every
mouth; and, indeed, we owe every thing to your judgment and exertions.

Adieu! God bless you. Ever your Lordship's af