Nelson to Lady Hamilton, Victory, 14 March [1804], off Toulon, (Harrison II, 10 - 16; extract in Nicolas V, 439, with PS and note of 9 April belonging to subsequent letter of 2 April, see below), 2 pages, with sketch of improvements at Merton.

Emma’s letter of 26 November has been brought by the son of Captain Faddy, and Nelson wishes to promote him if a vacancy becomes possible. He is unable to help with a place on the VICTORY for the surgeon Jefferson, who by his own misconduct is out of good employment and has not been promoted at Malta Hospital. Nelson is sending Emma the last letter from Mrs Graefer. He is unsure what she has done in the administration of the Bronte estate, but has reluctantly made up his mind that Gibbs will propose her salary to be one hundred pounds a year. In his will Nelson has left to Emma a part of the rental of the estate, paid in advance every half-year. A thousand pounds a year will not go far, and he does not expect to gain prize money in the Mediterranean, so in order to make ends meet they will need to make economies. The improvements and new entrance at Merton will be costly, so he will provide a fund for these expenses. He suggests some arrangements at Merton that will save money and raises two issues to be dealt with, the course of a footpath that needs to be changed, and strong netting to be placed around the Nile so that Horatia will not tumble into the water. All Nelson’s hopes are to see Emma and be happy at Merton again, but the unsuccessful Pichegru uprising has kept the French fleet in port and he fears it will prolong the war. Sir William Bolton was on board the VICTORY yesterday. Nelson sees no prospect of him either making prize money or being made a post-captain while he is in command of a brig, but he won’t omit any opportunity. Nelson asks Emma to find out the debts of poor blind Mrs Nelson. If they come within his power, he will certainly pay them, as he does not want her to be in want, and have to sell her plate. He is sure that Emma agrees, that they will feel more comfort in assisting friends than in providing food and entertainment for a set of people who care not for them. When Nelson comes home, he will settle four thousand pounds in trustees’ hands for Horatia, so that she is not left destitute. He is glad that Emma is going to take her home, together with his sister’s daughters Eliza and Ann. Meanwhile, he will be assisting his nephew Tom at college, and should do the same for his brother’s son Horace.