NELSON HORATIO (1758-1805). Vice-amiral britannique.

Lot 152
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8000 - 10000 EUR
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Result : 10 400EUR
NELSON HORATIO (1758-1805). Vice-amiral britannique.
Signed autograph letter, signed « Nelson & Bronte », Merton 12 October 1802, to Colonel William STEWART; 4 pages in-4 format, mounted at left margin in a buckram covered folder with engraved portrait of Nelson and contained in a half morocco gilt folding case with marbled boards; in English. Important letter addressed to his brother in arms, containing a bitter attack on Buonaparte. William STEWART (1774-1827) was first commander of the Rifle Corps and served under Nelson at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801. At the very beginning of the present letter, Nelson acknowledges receipt of a letter from Stewart and states: “…few things in this world give me more real pleasure than keeping alive by a free communication a friendship formed, never I hope to end but with our lives” Nelson declares Napoleon is a Mad Man. Nelson is outspoken in the present letter with a bitter attack on Napoleon who has had “the impudence to tell Europe My Word is good for nothing, other Monarchs may act so but none till this Chap had the impudence to say so. I really think he is bringing forward his own destruction Europe must soon combine against such a Mad Man.” Nelson continues his tirade on Napoleon cleverly quipping he has “no sense but insolence.” He then makes an interesting comparison: “I consider him as a Man on the finest Horse but which is so high Spirited that notwithstanding his rider thinks he has a secure seat a plunge too far or a rear up too high throws the rider and breaks his neck, when by not managing his Horse in this unusual manner He might arrive with safety, with Honor and with the Character of a good rider to his Journeys End…” Expressing approbation of his government’s conduct he then contemplates the prospects of a coming war, Nelson sums up: “I think there is no prospect of a War. Buonap[ar]te will hang himself in his toils for others…” Nelson’s loathing of Napoleon was not a reciprocal sentiment. After the rat
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