Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part III)

Nelson Letter, addressed to the Masters of His Majesty’s Ships Victory, Royal Sovereign and Seahorse, concerning ‘Rotten Stinking’ pork, dated 20 August 1804, 326 x 205mm., inscribed in ink on both sides,

‘By the Right Honble Lord Viscount Nelson, K.B., Duke of Bronte in Sicily, Knight of the Great Cross of St. Ferdinand and of Merit, Knights of the Order of the Crescent and of the Illustrious Order of St. Joachim, Vice Admiral of the White and Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s ships ... on the Mediterranean Station.

Captain Richardson of His Majesty’s Ship Juno having represented to me by letter of this day’s date that there is onboard the said ship a cask of Pork found partly eat by the Rats and the remainder Rotten Stinking, unfit for men to eat and a nuisance in the ship and requesting a survey thereon.

You are hereby required and directed to proceed onboard the said ship and take a strict and careful Survey on the Cask of Pork complained of, which if found as represented you are to have in Charge of the Purser to be returned into Shore - Reporting to me from under your Hands a very correct and particular account of your proceedings therein.

Given on board the Victory at Sea 20th Augt. 1804, (signed) Nelson & Bronte’.

Good condition £2000-2500