The battle of Trafalgar was fought October 21, 1805. At daylight Nelson hoisted the signal, “England expects every man to do his duty,” and gave the order to close in and the game of death began. Each side had made a move. Nelson retired to his cabin and wrote the following codicil to his will:
“October 21st, 1805.—In sight of the combined fleets of France and Spain, distance about ten miles. Whereas the eminent services of Emma Hamilton, widow of the Right Honourable Sir William Hamilton, have been of the very greatest service to my king and country, to my knowledge, without ever receiving any reward from either our king or country. First: That she obtained the King of Spain’s letter, in 1796, to his brother, the King of Naples, acquainting him of his intention to declare war against England: from which letter the ministry sent out orders to the then Sir John Jervis to strike a stroke, if the opportunity offered, against either the arsenals of Spain or her fleets. That neither of these was done is not the fault of Lady Hamilton: the opportunity might have been offered.
“Secondly: The British fleet under my command could never have returned the second time in Egypt, had not Lady Hamilton’s influence with the Queen of Naples caused a letter to be written to the Governor of Syracuse, that he was to encourage the fleet being supplied with everything, should they put into any port in Sicily. We put into Syracuse, and received every supply; went to Egypt and destroyed the French fleet. Could I have rewarded these services, I would not now call upon my country; but as that has not been in my power, I leave Emma, Lady Hamilton, therefore, a legacy to my king and country, that they will give her an ample provision to maintain her rank in life.
“I also leave to the beneficence of my country my daughter, Horatia Nelson Thompson; and I desire she will use in future the name of Nelson only.
“These are the only favours I ask of my king and country, at this moment when I am going to fight their battle. May God bless my king, and country, and all those I hold dear!
“Nelson.
| “Witness | Henry Blockwood. T. M. Hardy.” |
Shortly after, while his ship, the Victory, was grappled with the Redoubtable and chained fast to her, Nelson was struck by a musket ball fired from the yards of the Redoubtable. He called for his trusted captain, Hardy, and said: “They have done for me now, Hardy—my back is broken.” And soon after, he died; but not before adding, “I would like to live one hour, just to know that my plans were right—we must capture or destroy twenty of them.”
There is a splendid monument to Nelson in Trafalgar Square, London, but the English did not respect his wishes with reference to Lady Hamilton. As a matter of fact, she was arrested on a charge of debt and imprisoned, and practically driven out of England, although the sisters of Lord Nelson believed in her and respected her to the last. She died in France in 1813. The daughter, Horatia Nelson, lived until 1881. She was a strong and excellent woman; she married the Reverend Philip Ward, of Teventer, Kent, and raised a family of nine children. One of her sons moved to America and made his mark upon the stage and also in letters.
Will of Florence Nightingale