NELSON, Horatio, Viscount Nelson.

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Document signed ("Nelson & Bronte") as Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean fleet. An appealing document that illustrates perfectly Nelson's tactics during the blockade of Toulon. At this time there was a very real threat of a French invasion of England. However, the largest squadrons of Napoleon's fleet were bottled up in the ports of Brest, where they were being watched by Admiral Sir William Cornwallis, and Toulon, where they were under Nelson's eye."Nelson's intention, indeed his burning wish, was to lure them out and beat them. So he kept out of sight of Toulon. His frigates watched it, and sometimes he sent a squadron, deliberately weak and tempting, to trail their coats across the harbour mouth" (Howarth, p. 38). The present order dates to precisely a month from when Nelson went on station at Toulon, and as he had "no margin of superiority over the French fleet refitting [there] … he exercised proper caution, for he could not afford to lose any ships in a surprise foray from the port" (Knight, p. 455).The document is in a secretarial hand, with the exception of Nelson's signature. In full:"The position which the Commander in Chief will take in preference to all others off Toulon, when the weather will permit, will be to bring Cape Sicié [south of Toulon] to bear East, from Ten to Fifteen leagues.Given on board His Majesty's Ship Victory off Toulon, 31st August 1803.Nelson & BronteTo the Respective Captains, or Commanders of any of His Majesty's Ships, or Vessels whi

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