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 authorised 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
dockyard. 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 occa-
sion. 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

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