76 



THE SEA. 



and burn the prizes.-" In this part of the battle the victory was complete, but the 

 three ships ahead were still engaged, and considerably exposed. Nelson, with his usual 

 presence of mind, seized the occasion to open a negotiation, and wrote to the Crown 



LORD NELSON. 



Prince as follows : " Vice- Admiral Lord Nelson has directions to spare Denmark when she 

 no longer resists. The line of defence which covered her shores has struck to the British 



O 



flag ; but if the firing is continued on the part of Denmark, he must be obliged to set 

 on fire all the prizes that he has taken, without having the power of saving the brave Danes 

 who have defended them." Captain Frederick Thesiger was sent in with it. During 

 his absence the remainder of the enemy's line eastward was silenced; the Crown Batteries 

 continued *o fire, till the Danish Gener.il Lindholm returned with a flag of truce, when 



