Nelson to Lady Hamilton, Victory, 2 April 1804, (Harrison II, 21, and II, 16-20 with name excised Lady Harrington, including material ascribed to letter of 14 March, PS and note dated 9 April, but which belongs here; not in Nicolas), 2 pages.

Captain Capel has brought Emma’s letters, sent by the THISBE from Gibraltar. Over the last month Nelson was anxious about Emma’s state of health, so he is relieved to finally receive news that she is recovering. However, he is agitated and upset to hear that their baby daughter Emma has died and Horatia has also been ill. Nelson discusses some rewards for the people who have been kind to Emma, including Mrs Gibson, Admiral Lutwidge and his wife. He also makes some comments about the marriage proposals Emma has received following her husband’s death, and to the latest intrigues of the extravagant social set she has connection with.

Nelson asks whether Emma received the little box from Naples, he believes contained bracelets. Meanwhile, he hopes that the amorins (shawls?) will come in time to be conveyed to England by Layman. Nelson hopes that despite the loss of his sloop, Layman’s promotion will be confirmed soon. The Admiralty will look more favourably upon him if he exercises more discretion and doesn’t try to know more about India than Troubridge. Nelson refers to the recent news about the King’s health and expresses his ambivalence towards changes in the government and the Admiralty. On 9 April he adds that he has written to the Duke in the hope that he will leave Emma some money, though by her account, he may not still be alive. He has no right to expect a farthing himself. He encloses a letter from Mr Falconet, who has got into a jumble about the amorins requested for Emma.