NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to John Jackson, n.p., 25 January 1801.

NELSON, Horatio, Viscount (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson & Bronte') to John Jackson, n.p., 25 January 1801.

1½ pages, 250 x 203mm, bifolium, docketed on f.2v (rubbed at folds, with some skilful light repairs).

On the distribution of prize money. The recipient, evidently a prize agent, has £400 payable to Nelson as his flag officer's share for the capture of two Spanish frigates, the Carmen and Florentine, for which Nelson is grateful: 'believing Mr Ross of Gibraltar to be the agent I have been expecting every day some account from him for flag shares for many years past'. He learns that Ross is now in London, and asks Jackson to forward a request for 'a Clear and distinct account of the sale of every Prize which he was agent for from Augt 11 1796 to July the 14th 1800 when I struck my flag to proceed home by land for the benefit of my health, and to whom the flag eighth for each prize was paid'. Nelson also asks Jackson for an account of prizes taken to Lisbon while Lord Keith was senior officer in the Mediterranean, and for any prizes taken to Lisbon, Gibraltar and Minorca since Keith's departure. Jackson's compliance would be 'of real Service to One who knows not how to look for money'.

Nelson's conviction that he was being inadequately recompensed in prize money is a frequent theme in his later correspondence, and indeed prompted a protracted court case against his former commanding officer John Jervis, Earl St Vincent, which concluded with Nelson being awarded £10,000 by the Court of King's Bench in 1803. Nelson's shortage of money at this time was connected with the need to support the households of both his wife and his mistress, Emma Hamilton.