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first and second in command of the British fleet were each leading his column, he exclaimed, Nothing but victory can attend such gallant conduct. When Lord Nelson found the shot pass over his ship, he desired Captain Prowse, of the Sinus, and myself, to go on board our ships, and in our way to tell all the Captains of line-of-battle ships, that he depended on their exertions; and that if, by the mode of attack prescribed, they found it impracticable to get into action immediately, they might adopt whatever they thought best, provided it led them quickly and closely along-side an enemy. He then again desired me to go away; and as we were standing on the front of the poop, I took his hand, and said, ‘I trust, my Lord, that on my return to the Victory, which will be as soon as possible, I shall find your Lordship well, and in possession of twenty prizes.’ On which he made this reply, God bless you Blackwood, I shall never speak to you again."

Previous to this parting, Captain Blackwood had witnessed with Captain Hardy, by Lord Nelson’s desire, the paper that has been so often before the public; in which the services of the celebrated Lady Hamilton to her country, during her continuance at the court of Naples, were strongly recommended by the Admiral to the attention of Government^[1].

Towards the close of the action that ensued, and which terminated so gloriously for Great Britain, the Royal Sovereign, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral Collingwood, being almost totally dismasted, the Euryalus was ordered to come and remain within hail of her, for the purpose of making the necessary signals; a service which Captain Blackwood performed with great attention. After the battle, the Vice-Admiral shifted his flag to her, that he might more easily communicate his orders to, and collect the other ships, and tow the Royal Sovereign out to seaward.

To alleviate the sufferings of the wounded prisoners, the humane successor of Nelson sent Captain Blackwood with a flag of truce to the Governor of Cadiz, proposing to give them up to the care of their own hospitals, on his sending boats for their conveyance, and giving receipts for their number; with an engagement that they should not serve again by sea or land until regularly exchanged; a proposal that

1. An account of the last moments of Lord Nelson’s life will be given under the head of Captain Sir Thomas M. Hardy, in our next volume. Captain Blackwood went in his boat through the fire of both fleets, to obtain intelligence of his Lordship’s safety; and arrived in the cockpit of the Victory as he was breathing his last.