When I am called upon to speak of the merits of the Captains of his Majesty's ships, and of the officers and men, whether seamen, marines, or soldiers, I that day had the happiness to command, _I say_, that never was the glory of this country upheld with more determined bravery than upon that occasion, and more important service was never rendered to our King and Country.

It is my duty to prove to the brave fellows, my companions in dangers, that _I_ have not failed, at every proper place, to represent, as well as I am able, their bravery and meritorious services." This matter was the occasion, possibly the cause, of bringing him into collision with the Admiralty and the Government on the same subject.
Although his private representations, soon after his return to England, had obtained from Lord St.Vincent, as he thought, a promise that medals should be issued for the battle, no steps thereto had been taken.

He now enclosed to the Prime Minister and to the First Lord a copy of his letter to the Lord Mayor; and to both he alluded to the assurance he believed had been made him.

"I have," he said, "been expecting the medals daily since the King's return from Weymouth." St.
Vincent's reply was prompt as himself.

With reference to the former matter, he confined himself to drily thanking Nelson, without comment, "for communicating the letter you have judged fit to write to the Lord Mayor;" but as to the medals, he wrote a separate note, telling him that he had "given no encouragement, but on the contrary had explained to your Lordship, and to Mr.Addington, the impropriety of such a measure being recommended to the King." Nelson, to use his own word, was "thunder-struck" by this statement.
"I own," he said, "I considered the words your Lordship used as conveying an assurance.