general seizure of Spanish vessels of war and commerce throughout the station.  This was done on his own responsibility, but he guarded himself by stringent provisions against any injury beyond detention being inflicted; and he alleged, very reasonably, that a commander-in-chief who never got letters from home less than two months old must act upon his own motion.  “I am completely in the dark.  It is now more than two months since the John Bull [the last despatch boat] sailed.”  “I have set the whole Mediterranean to work,” he tells Lady Hamilton on the 23d; “and if I had had the spare troops at Malta at my disposal, Minorca would at this moment have had English colours flying.”  A Swedish ship, carrying a Spanish regiment from Barcelona to the latter island, was among the first captures.

“With respect to my making war upon Spain, and Sir John Orde not having done it,” so he wrote to Elliot, “I believe you will think I have acted not precipitately, but consistent with the firmness of John Bull.  I can’t tell what schemes ministers may have; but when I am without orders, and unexpected occurrences arise, I shall always act as I think the honour and glory of my King and Country demand.  Upon the most mature and serious consideration I can give the subject, the present lays within the compass of a nutshell.  Our Ministers demand certain points to be conceded to them; they, to give a spur, detain the Spanish treasure.  Spain, the moment she hears of it, kicks your minister out of Madrid; a plain proof they had not acceded to our propositions.  Indeed, Mr. Frere,[80] you will see by his letter, did not believe it would have a favourable termination, even had not the frigates been detained.  I send your Excellency his letters.  I feel I have done perfectly right.  No desire of wealth could influence my conduct; for I had nothing to take worth two-pence to me.  Sir John Orde was sent, if it was a Spanish war, to take the money; but until he saw my orders, he did not act.  I suppose he was fearful of that responsibility which I am ever ready to take upon me; and now he is to wallow in wealth, whilst I am left a beggar.  But such things are.  I receive the kindest letters from Lord Melville and the Secretary of State, but they think the French fleet is prize enough for me.”  No wonder Nelson found that diplomatists were slow, measured by himself as a standard; but what a wonderful instinct it shows in him, that, with action ever prompt to the verge of precipitancy, he made so few blunders in deed.  There are several errors of fact in his summary of reasons, but his action was absolutely well-timed—­to the very hour.