I fired at the shore, it could only be in the same manner.  God forbid, that I should destroy an unresisting Dane! When they became my prisoners, I became their protector.  Humanity alone, could have been my object; but Mr. Fischer’s carcase was safe, and he regarded not the sacred call of humanity.  His royal highness thought as I did.  It has brought about an armistice; which, I pray the Almighty, may bring about a happy reconciliation between the two kingdoms.  As I have not the names of all the ships correct—­only of the thirteen, including the seven sail of the line which struck, remained at anchor, and fell into my possession after the battle—­I shall, therefore, be very much obliged to you, for a correct list of their names; and the number of men, if possible to be obtained, on board each, and the numbers sent from the shore during the action.  My earnest wish is, to be correct; and believe me, dear Sir, with great esteem, your most obedient servant,

     “Nelson and Bronte.”

     “General-Adjutant Lindholm.”

Whatever severity may appear in this retort, it’s, justice would be with difficulty refuted.  The answer of General-Adjutant Lindholm apologizes, with very considerable address, for the commander in chief; but that honourable officer’s reasoning is also tinctured with as much national partiality as is consistent with a due regard to truth.  This is no uncommon effect of patriotic zeal in the best minds, and may be traced even in that of our hero.

     “Copenhagen, 2d May 1801.

     “MY LORD!

“Your lordship has imposed upon me a very painful task, by desiring me to communicate to his Royal Highness the Crown Prince the contents of that letter with which your lordship has favoured me the 22d of April; and in which you have treated Commodore Fischer with a severity which, as a brother officer, I cannot but think too great, indeed, I conceive, that your lordship has felt a certain degree of displeasure at that incorrectness which you have thought to find in Commodore Fischer’s official report; but your lordship did not fully consider, at that moment, that he himself might have received incorrect reports:  a fatality to which every commander in chief is exposed.  I flatter myself, from your lordship’s well-known candour and indulgence, that you will not think it presuming in me, or contrary to the respect I feel for your lordship, if I take the liberty of offering you some few observations in vindication of the conduct of Commodore Fischer.  But, first, let me have the honour to assure your lordship, that I have not communicated to that officer your letter of the 22d of April; and that, what I take the liberty of offering your lordship, is absolutely my private and individual opinion.

“Your lordship thinks, that Commodore Fischer has over-rated the forces by which he was attacked, and under-rated his own; or, that he wrongly asserts the superiority of numbers on the part