sunk with the hulls
in such shoal water, that, when the fleet returned from Revel, they
found the Danes, with craft over the wrecks, employed in getting the
guns up again. Nelson, though he forbore from any public expression of
displeasure at seeing the proofs and trophies of his victory destroyed,
did not forget to represent to the Admiralty the case of those who
were thus deprived of their prize-money. "Whether," said he to Earl St.
Vincent, "Sir Hyde Parker may mention the subject to you, I know not;
for he is rich, and does not want it: nor is it, you will believe me,
any desire to get a few hundred pounds that actuates me to address this
letter to you; but justice to the brave officers and men who fought
on that day. It is true our opponents were in hulks and floats, only
adapted for the position they were in; but that made our battle so much
the harder, and victory so much the more difficult to obtain. Believe
me, I have weighed all circumstances; and, in my conscience, I think
that the king should send a gracious message to the House of Commons
for a gift to this fleet; for what must be the natural feelings of the
officers and men belonging to it, to see their rich commander-in-chief
burn all the fruits of their victory, which, if fitted up and sent to
England (as many of them might have been by dismantling part of our
fleet), would have sold for a good round sum."

On the 9th, Nelson landed again, to conclude the terms of the armistice.
During its continuance the armed ships and vessels of Denmark were to
remain in their actual situation, as to armament, equipment, and hostile
position; and the treaty of armed neutrality, as far as related to the
co-operation of Denmark, was suspended. The prisoners were to be sent on
shore; an acknowledgment being given for them, and for the wounded also,
that: they might be carried to Great Britain's credit in the account
of war, in case hostilities should be renewed. The British fleet was
allowed to provide itself with all things requisite for the health and
comfort of its men. A difficulty arose respecting the duration of the
armistice. The Danish commissioners fairly stated their fears of Russia;
and Nelson, with that frankness which sound policy and the sense of
power seem often to require as well as justify in diplomacy, told them
his reason for demanding a long term was, that he might have time to act
against the Russian fleet, and then return to Copenhagen. Neither party