SCOTT (Alexander John, 1768-1840, Nelson's Chaplain and Foreign Language Secretary on Board 'Victory')

Autograph Letter Signed to Agostino MILLELIRE, Commander of the Port at La Maddalena, Sardinia, in Italian with translation, returning "the gazettes [not present]", and taking the opportunity "to offer my more than due respects on behalf of His Excellency" with "a thousand thanks for your kindness" and "the most sincere renewal" of Nelson's "esteem and friendship ... As for myself, may you be persuaded that I am and will ever be disposed to aver and prove myself ... your Most humble and obliged servant", 1 side 4to., no place [La Maddalena], no date, circa (Translation)
Most Illustrious Comandante
Taking advantage of this occasion when returning the gazettes, I have the honour to offer my more than due respects on behalf of His Excellency. At the same time may You, Sir, deign to accept a thousand thanks for your kindness, with the most sincere renewal of his esteem and friendship. As for myself, may you be persuaded that I am and will ever be disposed to aver and prove myself
Illustrious Sir, your
Most humble and obliged servant
A J Scott

La Maddalena with its fine harbour lies off the northeast tip of Sardinia. Millelire was of a local naval family. In 1793 his younger brother Domenico famously drove off an invasion by the French, including Lieutenant of Artillery Bonaparte, by loading two cannons on to a launch and deploying them from points round the bay, finally chasing away the enemy who fled to Corsica.
To Nelson in 1803, La Maddalena was the ideal base for watching the French at Toulon - 24 hours away by sea but not too close to provoke an attack. The French had overrun Victor Emmanuel I's mainland dominions and the king had retired to Sardinia. He was anxious to preserve his current neutrality, but the British were allowed to stay, officially only for food and water. Nelson arrived on the 1st November 1803. He and Millelire spoke the same language of heroism and endeavour and quickly became firm friends - typically for Nelson, after a first dinner together on board Victory. Nelson left finally to pursue the French only on 19th January 1805. When he reached Gibraltar on 20th July 1805 he had not set foot on land since 16th June 1803, including two years less ten days without leaving Victory.
The Revd. A. J. Scott was likewise on friendly terms with Millelire and his family. He was invited to fishing parties and to hunt inland, welcomed by the normally reserved shepherd communities. Nelson had known Scott in the Mediterranean as a good linguist and later at Copenhagen in 1801, where he was with Sir Hyde Parker. There Scott learnt Danish and some Russian, and was employed to draw up the treaty arrangements that followed. When Parker was recalled, Scott explained to Nelson that this was when Parker "stood most in need of his company", but in 1803 agreed to joined Nelson as chaplain on 'Victory'. By private arrangement he also managed all his foreign language correspondence. From time to time Nelson sent him to the Italian ports to mingle in society and bring back intelligence.
At Trafalgar, Scott was with the wounded, but coming up for fresh air, saw Nelson being carried down. He stayed with his chief, took his last wishes, and was found still rubbing Nelson's chest to ease the pain, even after his friend had expired.
Before he left La Maddalena, as a measure of gratitude to the local people, Nelson commissioned Scott to procure in silver a fine Crucifix and two Candlesticks for the parish church, still to be seen today.

Item Date:  1804

Stock No:  55723      £1275

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