[ Lord Hawke; Royal Navy ] Autograph Letter Signed "Hawke" to "Captain Locker", Nelson's mentor.

Author: 
Lord Hawke [ Admiral of the Fleet Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke, KB, PC (1705–1781), Royal Navy officer
Publication details: 
Sunbury, 28 October 1779
£250.00
SKU: 20329

Two pages, 4to, window pane mount, one chip not affecting text, one hole caused by his pen[?] with no loss, tear along fold mark, partially repaired. He acknowledges Locker's letter "As likewise with the Box of Chaddocks [?] and forbidden fruit, which came very safely and for which, I beg you willl accept of My best thanks- I am very sorry to hear that you was obliged to quit your Ship on Account of your being in An ill State of Health; but hope from taking great care of your Self, that the Country Air, and regular living will soon restore you, to A proper condition to serve Again; which I sincerely wish, As this is a time for all Men of Spirit to serve their Country, for we want them in the Service, instead of Boys - Your Book is very safe in Town - [ ....] " which he'lll leave with his housekeeper to be collected by his representative. He continues " I most heartily wish you all imaginable siuccess in all your Undertakings, and am very truly [...]". Docketed "Lord Hawke | 20 Oct. 1779 | on Captain Lockers' return | from the West Indies."Note: As per addressee and "docket", the Locker mentioned as correspondent was William Locker who "In 1777, [...] took command of HMS Lowestoffe, sailing her to the West Indies. During this period, one of his lieutenants was the newly promoted Horatio Nelson. Nelson, then barely nineteen, served with Locker for fifteen months. His experiences with Locker, and Locker's teachings had a lasting effect on Nelson." At the time of this letter, Locker was retiring in poor health, having returned from the West Indies..