would by them be retained in permanent employment.  In meeting the case of desertions, caused by the heedlessness and weakness of seamen, Nelson became more vague.  The nature of the trouble he recognized clearly enough, but there is a lack of definiteness in the remedy he proposed to meet an evil which still exists.  “The mainspring of all my plan is, that of Certificates fully descriptive of the persons; the very greatest good must result from it.  Something should be attempted at these times to make our seamen, at the din of war, fly to our Navy, instead of flying from it.”  His plan is substantially that now adopted.

Closely connected with the discontent of seamen was the subject of prize-money, in the receipt and distribution of which great irregularities and abuses existed among the agents, to remove which also he made particular and detailed suggestions; and he strongly supported, though with discriminating criticism, the Bill for an Inquiry into Naval Abuses, which embodied the most prominent of St. Vincent’s administrative measures while at the head of the Admiralty.  But, though thus supporting the Earl in his policy of investigation, and retaining his respect for him as a sea-officer, he was utterly dissatisfied with the general conduct of the Admiralty and with its attitude towards himself in particular.  “I attribute none of the tyrannical conduct of the late Board to Lord St. Vincent,” he wrote two years later.  “For the Earl I have a sincere regard, but he was dreadfully ill-advised, and I fear the Service has suffered much from their conduct.”  It would seem as if he did not, after the first moments of annoyance, forget the irritation he felt against Troubridge at being retained in the Downs against his will, and, as he thought, without necessity.  “I thank you,” he wrote to Captain Murray, “for taking the trouble of driving seven miles to make me a visit; for, could you believe it, there are those who I thought were my firm friends, some of near thirty years’ standing—­who have never taken that trouble!” This may not refer to Troubridge, but the description answers to him, and it appears that in the Nelson-Hamilton circle his name now stood as a type of ingratitude.[56]

Writing to Davison in September, 1802, after a trip of six weeks made to Wales, in company with the Hamiltons, he says:  “Our tour has been very fine and interesting, and the way in which I have been everywhere received most flattering to my feelings; and although some of the higher powers may wish to keep me down, yet the reward of the general approbation and gratitude for my services is an ample reward for all I have done; but it makes a comparison fly up to my mind, not much to the credit of some in the higher Offices of the State.”  He seems to have felt that neither in his influence with the Admiralty, nor in reference to his opinions on foreign topics, did he receive the recognition that his distinguished services, abilities, and experience claimed.  “Having failed entirely in submitting my thoughts on three points”—­those just cited, manning, desertion, and prize-money—­“I was disheartened;” and to this he attributes his not sending in a memoir which he had prepared upon the subject of the Flotilla for Coast Defence.