Sold – Lord Nelson Speaks Up For One of His Captains, Who Was Awarded a Medal For Services in Egypt

In March 1795, the French fleet headed for Corsica with a plan to invade it. Nelson and the British fleet immediately put to sea to intercept them. On March 14, in the Battle of Genoa, the French were defeated and abandoned their invasion strategy. For this service and others, in 1799 Nelson was given the title of Duke of Bronte by the King of Genoa, and thereafter he added that title to his signature. Among the British officers with Nelson at Genoa was John Burn, who was promoted to Commander in 1799. Two years later, Burn was Captain of the HMS Blonde (32 guns), and as one of Nelson’s legendary captains, was stationed with him in the Mediterranean. In  March 1801, the British determined to oust Napoleon’s forces from Egypt and sent an army of 5,000 to accomplish it. With the French army well entrenched, the British landing proved difficult. Nelson dispatched the HMS?Blonde and a few other ships to the area, and in the Battle of Abukir they succeeded. The French were dislodged and retreated; soon they would be ejected from Egypt altogether. In March 1802, Burn was awarded a Gold Medal in recognition of his services. He was still serving as one of Nelson’s captains in 1803, when Nelson wrote the Admiralty about his hope for a better ship, “Captain Burn, who Sir Richard speaks very highly of, has requested of me to mention him to you, in hopes you will give him a good Sloop…”   

The Lambton family of Lambton Castle, County Durham, England, had a personal fortune that derived largely from coal mining on their lands. In the early 19th century, this mining would earn them the enormous amount of £80,000 annually, and Lord Durham would have 2,400 miners in his employ. Lamptons were elected to the House of Commons for Durham. The Burn family intermarried into the Lambton, and Captain Burn stood to inherit a substantial sum of money if his Lambton relatives considered him worthy. But some problem had arisen which he feared reflected on his character. He spoke of this to Lord Nelson, suggesting that a word from the hero would prove more than useful.   

As for Nelson, in 1801, with the Napoleonic Wars in a stalemate and peace talks on, he returned to England. Separated from his wife Fanny, and he sought and found a home where he and Lady Hamilton could entertain friends. Acting on his behalf, she purchased Merton Place for the sum of £9000. He arrived there in October 1801 and would spend much time there until the renewed war called him away in 1803. He was there when he determined to do a service and commend Captain Burn.   

Autograph Letter Signed “Nelson & Bronte”, Merton, Surrey, March 16, 1802, to Mrs. Lambton, who we conjecture was Burn’s aunt or cousin. “When I was in the Mediterranean, your relation Captain Burn often told me that if I would speak to you what I knew of him and his character, that it would probably be of great use to him. And as I am not likely to have that opportunity, I take the liberty of writing to assure you that although Captain Burn may have been unfortunate, yet that my knowledge of him for 7 years induces me to say that I never knew any irregularity in his conduct. On the contrary, he always conducted himself so much like a gentleman and a man of charcter that I was always glad to render him any little services in my power and to receive him at my table. His loyalty on every occasion at Genoa I am well assured of. I sincerely hope that this attestation will induce you to render Captain Burn every kind attention which he deserves, and which will much please…Nelson &?Bronte.”   

Our thanks to the Royal Naval Museum and the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich for their research assistance.