I shall work up for Cadiz, never getting to the northward of it; and, in the event of hearing they are standing out of Cadiz, carry a press of sail to the southward, towards Cape Spartel and Arache.  I am writing out regular instructions for the guidance of the frigates:  but, I am confident, these gentry will not slip through our fingers; and, that we shall give a good account of them, although they may be superior in numbers.  The Royal Sovereign and Defiance were to sail after the 24th.  Belleisle is ordered here.  I send you two papers, I have stole them for you.  Ever, my dear Blackwood, most faithfully your’s,

     “Nelson and Bronte.”

     “The Honourable Captain Blackwood.”

On the 8th, his lordship sent the Naiad to the Honourable Captain Blackwood; with a promise of the Phoebe and Weazle, as soon as he could lay hands on them:  informing him, also, that the Defiance had joined, and the Royal Sovereign was then in sight.  The next morning, at eight o’clock, his lordship, after thanking the honourable captain for intelligence respecting a livelihood of the enemy’s sailing, and observing that he should wish never to be more than forty-eight hours without hearing from him, observes that—­

“Agamemnon, Belleisle, and Superb, and very probably the London, are at this moment on their passage:  therefore,” he jocosely says, “if Mr. Decrees means to come forth, (if he would take my advice, which I dare say he will not) he had better come out directly.  Those,” he adds, “who know more of Cadiz than you or I do, say that, after these Levanters, come several days of fine weather; westerly winds for sea-breezes, and a land wind at night:  and that, if the enemy are bound into the Mediterranean, they would come out in the night, which they have always done; placing lights on the Porpoises and the Diamond, and the shoal off Cadiz; run to the southward, and catch the sea breeze off the mouth of the Gut, and push through, whilst we might have little winds in the offing.  In short, watch all points, and all winds and weathers.  Remember me to Capel, Parker, Mundy, and Captain Prowse; and, be assured, I ever am your’s most faithfully,

     Nelson and Bronte.

The following short letter, written the following day, is too peculiarly characteristic, and impressive, to admit of any curtailment.

     Oct. 10, 1805.  Victory.

     “MY DEAR BLACKWOOD,

Keep your five frigates, Weazle and Pickle, and let me know every movement.  I rely, we cannot miss getting hold of them, and I will give them such a shaking as they never yet experienced; at least, I will lay down my life in the attempt! We are a very powerful fleet, and not to be held cheap.  I have told Parker, and do you direct, that ships bringing information of their coming out, are to fire guns every three minutes by the watch; and, in the night, to fire rockets, if they have them, from the mast-head.  I have nothing more to say; they will, I hope, sail to-night.  Ever your’s, faithfully,

     Nelson and Bronte.