Thinking it almost impossible to bring a fleet of 40 sail of the line into a line of Battle, in variable winds, thick weather, and other circumstances which must occur, without such a loss of time, that the opportunity would probably be lost.... I have therefore made up my mind to keep the fleet in that position of sailing (with the exception of the first and second in command) that the order of sailing is to be the order of battle; placing the fleet in two lines of 16 ships each, with an advanced squadron of eight of the fastest sailing two-decked ships [which] will always make if wanted a line of 24 sail, on whichever line the Commander-in-Chief may direct, etc.
It was bought by Mr. Frank Sabin for £3,600. A newspaper controversy at once arose on the subject of the transaction. Public attention was forcibly directed to the supreme importance of the document, and an effort was made to secure it for the nation, Mr. Sabin most generously offering to sell it to the authorities at cost price. The movement to acquire it fell through, owing to the impossibility of obtaining a grant-in-aid. Quite unexpectedly the late Mr. B. M. Woollan offered to buy it for the nation, but stipulated that during his life-time the MS. "should remain in his possession and be accessible to the public in the Town Hall at Tunbridge Wells." This was agreed to, Mr. Sabin maintaining his proposal to sell at cost price. The Trafalgar order was framed in oak taken from the Victory under the direction of a British Museum expert, and after remaining for some time at Tunbridge Wells, has found (since Mr. Woollan's death) a final resting-place in the National Collection. On March 14, 1906, Messrs. Maggs paid £170 for one of the official copies of the "General Memorandum," viz., that addressed to William Lechmere, Captain of the Thunderer. It filled 5 pp. It was marked "secret," and contained a note to the effect that "the Captain should return the Secret Memorandum to the Victory when the Thunderer quits the fleet for England." The original has been, or will shortly be, facsimiled by the British Museum MS. Department. Collectors will then be able to procure copies of it at an almost nominal price. During the weeks which followed March 14, 1906, the "Memorandum" became the subject of a dozen romantic legends. Several years ago I purchased the signature of Nelson appended to the last few lines of another of these "official copies" for one sovereign. It was formally attested by the widow of the Captain to whom it was originally sent. I possess a 3 pp. A.L.S. written by Lord Nelson to Lord Collingwood on board H.M.S. Victory, on October 10, 1805—eleven days before Trafalgar. It cost £20. Some time since, the album of the Honourable Charles Greville, the first lover of Emma Hart (Lady Hamilton) was broken up. Amongst the documents I purchased from it was a MS. account of Nelson's household expenses while residing in Bond Street, with Mr. Greville, from April 7 to 18, 1803.
The letters of "Nelson's Hardy"[57] fetch from £1 to £2 each. They lack style, but are characterised by the breezy heartiness which was typical of the man whom Nelson loved and trusted. The discovery of many hundreds of Hardy's letters to his Dorset relatives in 1905 enabled me, writing in collaboration with my friend the Rev. R. G. Bartelot, to supply to some extent a long-felt want in naval history. Here are two Hardy letters which came to light subsequent to our examination of the great mass of his correspondence:—
Captain T. M. Hardy, at Plymouth, to his brother-in-law, Mr. Manfield, at Dorchester.
San Josef—Torbay.
Feby 8 1801
Dear Manfield,—We are in Hourly expectation of the St George, where the Admiral is to hoist his flag. The moment she arrives myself and all the officers go with him. We shall sail as soon as possible for Portsmouth, and from thence to the North Sea. After we have done the business there, which we expect to do in about two months, the Flag is again to be hoisted in San Josef. The Squadron under Sir Henry Harvey arrived the day before yesterday and sailed the same evening to detach a squadron after the ships that left Brest about a fortnight ago. Lawrence arrived yesterday with Roberts. He is a fine lad and will do, but he is very young. Admiral [Lord Nelson] tells me he saw you. You landed and of course you made your grand salam to him. I suppose a number of wonderful stories has been told of San Josef in and about Dorchester. Our Beer is reduced to six bottles and on a moderate calculation that cannot last more than three days. Therefore you will add to the many obligations I am under to you if you will order our friend Oakley to send as soon as possible six or eight dozen more directed to Lord Nelson, St George, Spithead, by any vessel that sails from Weymouth. With duty to all friends, I remain, dear Manfield
Your's sincerely
T. M. Hardy
Captain T. M. Hardy, Torbay, to Mr. Manfield, Dorchester.
Dear Manfield,—I have only time to say that we are now getting under weigh for Spithead, and shall probably pass Abbotsbury Ferry during the night. Do write to me at Spithead and tell me if the Beer is sent as the Adml longs for it every day at Dinner