of all, the “Indfoedsretten,” were so shattered, the latter mainly by Riou’s frigates, that Fischer again shifted his flag, this time to the Trekroner.  The two southern flank ships, upon whom the most concentrated attack was made, had also met with tremendous losses.  Their flags were shot away many times, till at the last, by a Danish account, no one had time to raise them again, whence the impression arose amongst the British that these vessels, as well as some others, fought after having surrendered.

This incident, occurring in several cases, was the immediate cause of Nelson’s taking a step which both then and since has been blamed as an unjustifiable stratagem.  So much of the Danish fire south of the Trekroner had ceased, that that wing could be looked upon as subdued; some vessels were helpless, some had their flags down.  Between himself and the Trekroner, Nelson alleged, there was a group of four Danes, unresisting and unmanageable, across and through which the battery was firing, and the British replying.  Ships which had struck repelled boats sent to board them, and the batteries on Amag Island also fired upon those boats, and over the surrendered Danes.  That there was some ground for the complaints made by him appears from the Danish admission just quoted, as well as from several British statements; Stewart’s being explicit.  Nelson accordingly sent a message ashore, under a flag of truce, to the Crown Prince, who was in general command, saying that if he were not allowed to take possession of his prizes, he would have to burn them.  The message ran:—­

    TO THE BROTHERS OF ENGLISHMEN, THE DANES.

Lord Nelson has directions to spare Denmark, when no longer resisting; but if the firing is continued on the part of Denmark, Lord Nelson will be obliged to set on fire all the floating batteries he has taken, without having the power of saving the brave Danes who have defended them.

    NELSON AND BRONTE.

It was in the preparation and despatch of this note that Nelson gave another illustration, often quoted, of his cool consideration of all the circumstances surrounding him, and of the politic regard to effect which he ever observed in his official intercourse with men.  It was written by his own hand, a secretary copying as he wrote.  When finished, the original was put into an envelope, which the secretary was about to seal with a wafer; but this Nelson would not permit, directing that taper and wax should be brought.  The man sent was killed before he could return.  When this was reported to the admiral, his only reply was, “Send another messenger;” and he waited until the wax came, and then saw that particular care was exercised to make a full and perfect impression of the seal, which bore his own arms.  Stewart said to him, “May I take the liberty of asking why, under so hot a fire, and after so lamentable an accident, you have attached so much importance to a circumstance apparently so trifling?” Nelson replied, “Had I made use of the wafer, it would still have been wet when presented to the Crown Prince; he would have inferred that the letter was sent off in a hurry, and that we had some very pressing reasons for being in a hurry.  The wax told no tales.”