Nelson, Horatio Lord

advising him of forces expected from San Domingo and giving him permission to engage the enemy ("...I leave you at liberty to run up to me to gain a Laurel in the Battle which will soon be fought, but you must be sure of the force you have being sufficient for the above purposes..."), one page, 4to, Victory, off Toulon, 6 October 1804, lacking address leaf, two words at bottom of page ("Turn over") erased

Nelson: the New Letters, ed. C. White (2005), p.61

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A letter in which Nelson expresses his trust in a gifted subordinate. In 1803 Strachan was Captain of the Donegal and senior officer at Gibraltar. Two years later, on 2 November 1805, he was the British commander at the Battle of Cape Finisterre, at which the four French ships of the line that had escaped at Trafalgar were destroyed.