St.Vincent replied that he did not believe in consultations, and had always avoided them.

"I disapprove of unnecessary consultations as much as any man," retorted Nelson, "yet being close to the Admiralty, I should not feel myself justified in risking our ships through the channels of Flushing without buoys and pilots, without a consultation with such men as your Lordship, and also I believe you would think an order absolutely necessary." "Lord St.Vincent tells me he hates councils," he writes rather sorely to Addington.

"So do I between military men; for if a man consults whether he is to fight, when he has the power in his own hands, _it is certain that his opinion is against fighting_; but that is not the case at present, and I own I do want good council.

Lord St.Vincent is for keeping the enemy closely blockaded; but I see they get alongshore inside their sand banks, and under their guns, which line the coast of France.

Lord Hood is for keeping our squadrons of defence stationary on our own shore (except light cutters to give information of every movement of the enemy)....