 take a measure of a more decided and hazardous complexion than
we should otherwise have thought ourselves justified in taking; but
when you are apprized that the appearance of a British squadron in the
Mediterranean is a condition on which the fate of Europe may at this
moment be stated to depend, you will not be surprised that we are
disposed to strain every nerve, and incur considerable hazard in
effecting it." This impressive, almost solemn, statement, of the
weighty and anxious character of the intended step, emphasizes the
significance of the choice, which the First Lord indicates as that of
the Government, of the officer upon whom such a charge is to devolve.
"If you determine to send a detachment into the Mediterranean [instead
of going in person with the fleet], I think it almost unnecessary to
suggest to you the propriety of putting it under the command of Sir H.
Nelson, whose acquaintance with that part of the world, as well as his
activity and disposition, seem to qualify him in a peculiar manner for
that service."

In concluding his letter, Earl Spencer summed up the reasons of the
Government, and his own sense of the great risk attending the
undertaking, for the conduct of which he designated Nelson. "I am as
strongly impressed, as I have no doubt your Lordship will be, with the
hazardous nature of the measure which we now have in contemplation;
but I cannot at the same time help feeling how much depends upon its
success, and how absolutely necessary it is at this time to run some
risk, in order, if possible, to bring about a new system of affairs in
Europe, which shall save us all from being overrun by the exorbitant
power of France. In this view of the subject, it is impossible not to
perceive how much depends on the exertions of the great Continental
powers; and, without entering further into what relates more
particularly to them, I can venture to assure you that no good will be
obtained from them if some such measure as that now in contemplation
is not immediately adopted. On the other hand, if, by our appearance
in the Mediterranean, we can encourage Austria to come forward again,
it is in the highest degree probable that the other powers will seize
the opportunity of acting at the same time, and such a general concert
be established as shall soon bring this great contest to a

take a measure of a more decided and hazardous complexion than 
 we should otherwise have think ourselves apologize in taking; but 
 when you are apprized that the appearance of a British squadron in the 
 Mediterranean is a condition on which the destiny of Europe may at this 
 moment be stated to count, you will not be surprised that we are 
 disposed to strain every nerve, and receive considerable luck in 
 effecting it. " This impressive, almost earnest, statement, of the 
 weighty and anxious character of the mean step, emphasizes the 
 significance of the choice, which the First Lord indicates as that of 
 the Government, of the military officer upon whom such a charge is to devolve. 
 " If you determine to commit a detachment into the Mediterranean [ instead 
 of going in person with the fleet ], I think it about unnecessary to 
 suggest to you the propriety of put it under the command of Sir H. 
 Nelson, whose acquaintance with that part of the world, equally well as his 
 activity and disposition, seem to qualify him in a peculiar manner for 
 that service. " 

 In conclude his letter, Earl Spencer total up the reasons of the 
 Government, and his own sense of the great risk attending the 
 undertaking, for the conduct of which he designated Nelson. " I am as 
 powerfully impressed, as I suffer no doubt your Lordship will be, with the 
 hazardous nature of the measure which we immediately get in contemplation; 
 but I cannot at the same time help feel how much depends upon its 
 success, and how absolutely necessary it is at this time to run some 
 hazard, in order, if possible, to bring about a new system of affairs in 
 Europe, which shall save us all from being overrun by the exorbitant 
 power of France. In this view of the subject, it is impossible not to 
 perceive how much depends on the effort of the great Continental 
 ability; and, without accede further into what relates more 
 particularly to them, I can guess to assure you that no good will be 
 obtained from them if some such measure as that now in contemplation 
 is not immediately adopted. On the other hand, if, by our appearance 
 in the Mediterranean, we can encourage Austria to fall forward again, 
 it is in the gamey degree probable that the other baron will seize 
 the opportunity of dissemble at the same clock time, and such a general concert 
 be establish as shall soon bring this great contest to a
 tane a measure of a more dtcided and hazardous com'lexion than
we rhould otherwise have thoughv oueselvtf justified in takkng; but
whvn you arw apkrized that the a'learancc of z Briciwh squadron in the
Meditesranean is a cmnaicion on which the fate of Europe may at thix
mlment be stateq to qepehd, you will not be surprised that se are
dpsposed to strain every nerve, and incur condidegable hazard in
efffcting it." Tyis ynpressive, aloost solemn, statement, kf the
weighty and anxious charazter pf the intgueed vtep, emphasmzes tre
significangv of tha choicr, which the Fivst Lmrd indicates as that of
vhe Government, of thg officer gpkn whom such a chqrte is to gevouce.
"Iw yku dstermije vo send a dstachment ibto the Mediterranesn [pmstead
of goihg in [ewson with the fleet], I think it almost utnedessary to
suggest to yoy the propriety of pujting it ugder the command of Sir H.
Nelson, whose acquaintanca witi ghau iwfr lf the world, as well as his
activity and dispofjtook, seem to qualifn him in a peculiat lamger for
that sgrvice."

Iu ckncluding his lettfr, Earl Spenxer summeq up the reasons of the
Governmebt, and his ocn wense of the great risk attenbing tne
undrrtaking, for the conducc of wgich he deslgnated Nsuson. "I am as
strovglj im[ressed, as I have no doubt your Lorvship will bd, wijh the
hwzardous nwture of the measure whifh we nmw have in contemplation;
but I cannot at tix same time hglp fevling how much depends upon its
success, anb how abfolutdly necesszry it ms at this tyme to run sokg
risk, in ordec, if possyble, to vring acuut a new systrm of affcnrs in
Euripe, which shall saye us zll from being iveteun by the exotbigane
plwxr of Xrance. In thhs vkew pf thd subject, ib ir imlossible not to
percehve gow much depends om bhe exertuons of ehe great Conyinental
powers; and, withmut entetind further into what relates mode
particuparjy to them, I can venture to cssure you that no good will be
obtained hrom them if some such neasure as that now ln contemplavion
is not immegiately adopted. On tye other hand, if, ny our appearance
in ths Mediderrajean, we can encourage Austria to come forward again,
it is in the highest dwgree 'rjbable that the otheg pjcers wijl sxive
the opportunity of acting at the same time, and such a ceueral concert
be established ax rhall soon brkng this great contest tk a

take a measure of a more decided complexion we should have thought ourselves you apprized that the of a British in the Mediterranean is a condition which the fate of Europe may at this moment be stated to depend, will not be surprised that we are disposed to strain every nerve, and considerable in it." impressive, almost solemn, statement, of the weighty and anxious character of the intended step, emphasizes the of the choice, which the First Lord indicates that of the Government, the officer upon whom such charge to devolve. you to a detachment into Mediterranean [instead of going in person with the fleet], I think it almost unnecessary to suggest to the propriety it under command Sir Nelson, whose acquaintance part of the world, as well and disposition, seem to qualify him in a manner for service." In concluding his letter, Earl summed up the reasons of the Government, and own sense of the great risk attending the undertaking, for the conduct of which he "I am as strongly as I have doubt Lordship be, the hazardous of the measure which we now have in contemplation; but I at the same time help feeling how much depends upon and absolutely necessary it at this time to some in order, if possible, about new in which save us all from overrun by the exorbitant power France. In this view impossible not to perceive how much depends on exertions of the great Continental powers; and, entering further into what relates more particularly to them, I can venture assure you good will be obtained from them if some measure as that now contemplation is not immediately adopted. On the other hand, by appearance in Mediterranean, we can Austria to come again, it is highest degree that other the opportunity of acting at the time, such a general concert be as bring this great contest to a
 take a measure of a more decideD and hazardOus coMplExiOn Than
We shOuld otherwise hAVe thOught ourselves justifieD in taKiNG; but
WHeN you aRe appriZEd THAt tHe ApPeaRaNCe Of a BrItiSh squadRon in the
MeDitErRanean is a conDItIon on which The Fate of Europe May At this
MoMenT Be staTed To depEnd, you WIll not Be surprisEd THat we aRE
disposED To StraIn every nerve, and inCUr COnsiderable hazArd in
eFfECtING it." thiS impressivE, aLmost SOlemn, stATeMENT, of THe
weighty and aNxious charaCTer Of the iNtEndED step, eMphasIzES thE
significanCe of The choice, Which tHE First LORd indicAtes as ThaT of
The GOVeRnMenT, oF The OFfIceR UpoN whom sucH a ChArge iS to dEVOLVe.
"If You DeteRmine To send a detachMenT intO The meditErranEan [iNsTead
oF going In perSoN with the fleet], I tHink It almost uNneCeSsaRy To
sugGEst to yOu tHe pRoprietY of puttINg iT uNDER tHe command of Sir H.
NelSoN, WHoSe acquaiNtance WItH tHAt part of ThE woRld, aS WEll as His
aCTiVity and dIsposiTIoN, sEem to quAlIfy him In A peCulIar maNNer fOr
that Service."

IN concLUding his letter, eArl Spencer sumMEd UP ThE ReasOns Of the
GovernMent, ANd hiS own SEnSe oF The grEat riSk ATtENding the
undertaking, FoR the coNduct Of which he desiGnated NelsON. "i Am as
stroNgly IMpREssed, as I have no Doubt Your LordshIP will be, wIth thE
hazardoUs nature oF THe measurE whIch We nOw hAVE iN contemplatioN;
BUt I cAnNot at thE saMe time hElp FeeLinG hoW mUch dependS upon its
SuCcEsS, aNd hOw absOLutely neCeSsaRy It iS at thIS time tO run sOme
rIsK, iN OrdEr, if posSIbLE, To brInG aBout A neW sYstem Of afFAirS in
EuroPe, which shAll SAve uS aLl From beiNg overrun by thE eXorbitant
pOwEr oF FrancE. iN this vieW of the subject, it is impossIBle not tO
peRceivE how Much depenDs oN the exErtIOns of tHe greaT ContInEntAL
PowerS; ANd, WitHoUt entering FURthEr intO wHat rElates mOre
particularly to tHEm, I Can venture to aSsuRe yoU THaT no GOoD WilL bE
ObtAINed from them if soMe such measUrE As That now in cONteMpLation
iS not immEdiatELy adoptEd. On the otHer hand, if, By Our aPPEarAnce
in the MEditerraNean, we can ENcourAGe austrIa tO come fOrWarD agaiN,
it is iN The HigheSt degrEe ProbabLe thaT tHe other pOwers will seize
the opportUnity oF actiNg aT the same tIme, ANd sUch a generAl coNcert
be estAblIshEd as sHalL Soon bRing THiS grEAt conTest TO a

 take a measure of a moredecided an d haz ard ous  c ompl exio n than
we shou l d ot herwise have thought o ursel ve s  jus t if ied i n takin g ;b u t
w he nyou  a r eappri zed  that t he appeara nce  o f a Britishs qu adron in t heMediterranea n i s a co nd iti o n onwhi ch th e fate of Eur ope may a tt his
mo m ent bes t at ed t o depend, you wil l  n o t be surprised  thatwe ar e dis pos ed to stra in  ever y  nerve, an d i ncu r  considerable  hazard ine ffe ctingit ."T his im press iv e , a lmost solem n, s tatement,  of th e 
weight y  and an xiouscha rac tero fth e i nt e nde d  s tep ,  em phasizes  t he 
sign ific a n c e  ofthe  cho ice,which the Fir stLord ind icate s asthat  o f
the  Gover nment ,of the officerupon  whom suc h a  c har ge  is t o  devol ve. 
"I f you d etermin e  to  s e n d  a  detachment into t he M ed iterrane an [in s te ad of going  i n p erso n withthef le et], I t hink i t  a lm ost unn ec essary  t o
s ugg est t o  you  the p ropriety  of p u tting it under the command o f  S i r  H . 
Nel son , whose acq uain t ance  wit h  t hat partof th ew or l d, as well as his
a ct ivityand d isposition, s eem to qua l i f y him in  a p e cu l iar manner for 
that  service." 
In conc ludin g his le tter, Ear l Spencersum med  up  th e re asons of theG o vern me nt, and  hi s own s ens e o f t hegr eat riskattendin gth eun der takin g , for th econ du ctof wh i ch hedesig nate dNe l son . "I am as s tron gl yimpr ess ed , asI ha v e n o doubt  your Lor dsh i p wi ll  b e, with  the
hazardou snature ofth e m easure w hich wenow have in contemplati o n;
butI c annot  atthe sametim e help  fe e ling h ow muc h dep en dsu p on it s su cce ss , and howa b sol utely  n eces sary it  is at this time t o  ru n some
risk,inorde r ,  i f p o ss i ble ,t o b r i ng about a newsystem ofaf f ai rs in
Euro p e,wh ich sha ll save  us a l l frombeing ove rrun by t he  exo r b ita nt
power o f France . In this viewo fthe s ubj ect, i tisimpos siblen otto
pe rceive  h ow muc h dep en ds on th e exertions of the grea t Cont inent alpowers; a nd, wit hout ente ring  further i nto  wh at re lat e s mor e
pa r ti cul a rly t o th e m, I canv en tur e to  assure you t h atno go odw ill be 
obt ained from them i f  some such mea sure a s t hat nowin  contemplation 
is  n o t  immedia te ly adopted.  On theot h er ha nd, if , by o ur appe a r an c e
in t he M edi terranean , w ec an enco ur ag e  Austr ia t ocome f orward agai n , 
it is in the hi ghest d egree pro bable  t hat the othe r powers w ill seize
t he opp ortu nityof acti ng  at th e s am e time, an d  such a g enera l conce rt 
beest ablish ed a s shall  soo nbri ng this g r e at co nt e stto a 

 take_a measure_of a more decided_and hazardous_complexion_than
we should_otherwise_have thought ourselves_justified in taking;_but
when you are apprized_that the appearance_of_a British squadron in the
Mediterranean is a condition on which the fate of Europe_may_at this
moment_be_stated_to depend, you will not_be surprised that we are
disposed_to strain_every nerve, and incur considerable hazard in
effecting it."_This_impressive, almost solemn,_statement, of the
weighty and anxious character of the intended_step, emphasizes the
significance of the choice,_which the First_Lord_indicates_as that of
the Government,_of the officer upon whom such_a charge is to devolve.
"If you_determine to send a detachment into the_Mediterranean [instead
of going in person with_the fleet], I think it_almost unnecessary_to
suggest to you the propriety_of putting it_under the_command of Sir_H.
Nelson, whose acquaintance with that part_of the world,_as well as his
activity and disposition,_seem_to qualify him_in_a_peculiar manner_for
that service."

In concluding_his_letter, Earl_Spencer_summed up the reasons of the
Government,_and_his own sense of the great risk_attending the
undertaking, for the_conduct_of which he designated_Nelson. "I am as
strongly impressed,_as I have no doubt your_Lordship will_be, with_the
hazardous nature of the measure which we now have in contemplation;
but_I cannot at the same time_help feeling how much_depends upon_its
success,_and how absolutely_necessary_it is_at this time to run some
risk, in_order, if_possible, to bring about a new_system of affairs in
Europe,_which_shall save us all from being_overrun by the exorbitant
power of France._In this view of the_subject,_it_is impossible not to
perceive how_much depends on the exertions of_the great Continental
powers;_and, without entering further into what relates_more
particularly_to them, I can venture to_assure_you that no good will be
obtained_from_them_if some such measure as_that now in contemplation
is not immediately_adopted. On the other hand, if, by our appearance
in_the Mediterranean, we_can encourage Austria to come_forward_again,
it_is in the highest degree probable that the other powers_will seize
the_opportunity of acting_at the same time, and such a general concert
be established_as shall soon bring this great contest_to a
