Richard had too much regard for the commerce of Great Britain, to suffer
our worst enemy to take it from us; and that, too, at a time when Great
Britain was straining every nerve to suppress illegal trade at home,
which only affected her revenue: that he hoped we should not be so
singular, as to allow of a much more ruinous traffic's being carried on
under the king's flag. He added, in short, that he should decline
obeying his orders, till he had an opportunity of seeing and talking to
him; making, at the same time, an apology for any seeming impropriety.
Sir Richard Hughes was, at first, going to send a captain to supersede
him: but, having mentioned the matter to his captain, was informed, that
all the squadron seemed to think the orders sent were illegal; and,
therefore, did not know how far Captain Nelson was obliged to obey them.
Such being their sentiments, he could not have been there tried by a
court-martial.
Captain Nelson now proceeded to inform the people of the custom-house,
that he should, after such a day, seize all foreign vessels found in our
islands; and, till then, keep them out to the utmost of his power. They
fancied, however, that he could not seize, without a deputation; and,
therefore, disregarded his threats.
In May 1785, accordingly, he seized the first American vessel.
Immediately, he had the governor, the officers of the customs, and most
of the planters, for his enemies. Subscriptions were instantly set on
foot, and soon filled, to prosecute him; and the admiral stood neuter,
though his flag was then flying in the roads.
This last circumstance grieved him; but there was nothing by which he
could either be dismayed or deterred from any act which he considered as
forming part of his positive duty.
Though he had thus offended most of the heads of distributive justice,
and the demons of the law were accordingly let loose on him, before the
first vessel's complaint was brought to trial, he had seized four others
under similar predicaments. On these occasions, too, having ordered the
|