that they were pursuing their nautical studies; and at noon he was always the first on deck with his quadrant. Whenever he paid a visit of ceremony, some of these youths accompanied him : ant when he went to dine with the governor at Barbadoes, he took one of them in his hand, and presented him, saying, " Your Excellency must ex66 cuse me for bringing one of my midshipmen. I make it a rule to introduce them "to all the good company I can, as they

66

have few to look up to, besides myself, "during the time they are at sea."

When Nelson arrived in the West Indies he found himself senior captain, and consequently second in command on that station. Satisfactory as this was, it soon involved. him in a dispute with the admiral, which a man less zealous for the service might have avoided. He found the Latona in English Harbour, Antigua, with a broad pendant hoisted; and upon inquiring the reason, was presented with a written order from Sir R. Hughes, requiring and directing him to obey the orders of resident commissioner Moutray,

during the time he might have occasion to remain there; the said resident commissioner being, in consequence, authorized to hoist a broad pendant on board any of his Majesty's ships in that port that he might think proper. Nelson was never at a loss how to act in

any emergency. "I know of no superior "officers," said he, "beside the lords "commissioners of the Admiralty, and my "seniors on the post list." Concluding, therefore, that it was not consistent with the service for a resident commissioner, who held only a civil situation, to hoist a broad pendant, the moment that he had anchored, he sent an order to the captain of the Latona to strike it, and return it to the dock-yard. He then went on shore the same day, dined with the commissioner, to show him that he was actuated by no other motive than a sense of duty, and gave him the first intelligence that his pendant had been struck. Sir Richard sent an account of this to the Admiralty; but the case could admit of no doubt, and Captain Nelson's conduct was approved.

He displayed the same promptitude on another occasion. While the Boreas, after the hurricane months were over, was riding at anchor in Nevis Road, a French frigate passed to leeward, close along shore. Nelson had obtained information that this ship was sent from Martinico, with two general officers and some engineers on board, to make a survey of our sugar islands. This purpose he was determined to prevent them from executing, and therefore he gave orders to follow them. The next day he came up with them at anchor in the roads of St. Eustatia, and anchored at about two cables' length on the frigate's quarter. Being afterwards invited by the Dutch governor to meet the French officers at dinner, he seized that occasion of assuring the French captain, that understanding it was his intention to honour the British possessions with a visit, he had taken the earliest opportunity in his power to accompany him, in his Majesty's ship the Boreas, in order that such attention might be paid to the officers of his Most Christian Majesty, as every Englishman in the islands

would be proud to show.

The French,

with equal courtesy, protested against giving him this trouble; especially, they said, as they intended merely to cruise round the islands, without landing on any. But Nelson, with the utmost politeness, insisted upon paying them this compliment, followed them close, in spite of all their attempts to elude his vigilance, and never lost sight of them; till finding it impossible either to deceive or escape him, they gave up their treacherous purpose in despair, and beat up for Mar

tinico.

A business of more serious import soon engaged his attention. The Americans were at this time trading with our islands, taking advantage of the register of their ships, which had been issued while they were British subjects. Nelson knew, that, by the navigation act, no foreigners, directly or indirectly, are permitted to carry on any trade with these possessions: he knew also, that the Americans had made themselves foreigners with regard to England; they had broken the ties of blood and language, and acquired

the independence which they had been provoked to claim, unhappily for themselves, before they were fit for it; and he was resolved that they should derive no profit from those ties. Foreigners they had made themselves, and as foreigners they were to be treated. "If once," said he, "they are "admitted to any kind of intercourse with

our islands, the views of the loyalists, in 66 settling at Nova Scotia, are entirely done << away; and when we are again embroiled "in a French war, the Americans will first "become the carriers of these colonies, and "then have possession of them. Here they 66 come, sell their cargoes for ready money,

go to Martinico, buy molasses, and so "round and round. The loyalist cannot do "this, and consequently must sell a little "dearer. The residents here are Ame"ricans by connexion and by interest, and 66 are inimical to Great Britain. They

are as great rebels as ever were in Ame"rica, had they the power to show it." In November, when the squadron, having arrived at Barbadoes, was to separate, with