NELSON, Horatio, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson') to Rear Admiral John Thomas Duckworth (his second in command), n.p. [Naples], 22 July 1799, marked 'Most Secret', 'Lord K[eith] ... has lost the Combined Fleet means to follow them to Ireland if necessary has directed me to take care of Minorca', for which purpose Duckworth is to take 5 vessels, but without marines; 'I mean the ships to sail tomorrow night, say for Leghorn ... You are to dine ashore', one page, 4to, endorsed on verso by recipient. Provenance: Phillips, 18 March 1993, lot 31; private collection.
A CELEBRATED INCIDENT OF DISOBEDIENCE. As the rather dismissive reference to Lord Keith having 'lost the Combined Fleet' implies, Nelson had little time for his commander-in-chief and, on the basis that Naples was more important, had three times refused an order to send all available forces to the defence of Minorca, only finally, as here, sending Duckworth with a limited force, and with a flagrant lack of urgency. He was to receive a formal rebuke from the Admiralty: 'No other officer would have got off so lightly' (ODNB). For his orders to Duckworth on the same occasion, see our sale on 24 November 2009, lot 20.
NELSON, Horatio, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson') to Rear Admiral John Thomas Duckworth (his second in command), n.p. [Naples], 22 July 1799, marked 'Most Secret', 'Lord K[eith] ... has lost the Combined Fleet means to follow them to Ireland if necessary has directed me to take care of Minorca', for which purpose Duckworth is to take 5 vessels, but without marines; 'I mean the ships to sail tomorrow night, say for Leghorn ... You are to dine ashore', one page, 4to, endorsed on verso by recipient. Provenance: Phillips, 18 March 1993, lot 31; private collection.
A CELEBRATED INCIDENT OF DISOBEDIENCE. As the rather dismissive reference to Lord Keith having 'lost the Combined Fleet' implies, Nelson had little time for his commander-in-chief and, on the basis that Naples was more important, had three times refused an order to send all available forces to the defence of Minorca, only finally, as here, sending Duckworth with a limited force, and with a flagrant lack of urgency. He was to receive a formal rebuke from the Admiralty: 'No other officer would have got off so lightly' (ODNB). For his orders to Duckworth on the same occasion, see our sale on 24 November 2009, lot 20.
![NELSON, Horatio, Viscount Nelson (1758-1805). Autograph letter signed ('Nelson') to Rear Admiral John Thomas Duckworth (his second in command), n.p. [Naples], 22 July 1799, marked 'Most Secret', 'Lord K[eith] ... has lost the Combined Fleet means to follow them to Ireland if necessary has directed me to take care of Minorca', for which purpose Duckworth is to take 5 vessels, but without marines; 'I mean the ships to sail tomorrow night, say for Leghorn ... You are to dine ashore', one page, 4to, endorsed on verso by recipient. Provenance: Phillips, 18 March 1993, lot 31; private collection.](https://devapim.christies.com/uat/lot-images/5320076/2010/CKS/2010_CKS_07854_0214_000(nelson_horatio_viscount_nelson_autograph_letter_signed_to_rear_admiral042734).jpg?maxwidth=3840)