[2] Scott also spent time with Nelson and Emma at their home, Merton, during a brief spell of shore leave in the summer of 1805.

[2] Assisted by a small team of clerks, John Scott acted as Nelson's principal secretary, dealing with most of the public correspondence.

[2] Just prior to the Battle of Trafalgar, Victory's surgeon William Beatty was one of the many officers concerned by the conspicuous dress of Lord Nelson.

[2] When Captain Adair of the marines and a seaman rushed forward to remove the corpse, Nelson asked, "Is that poor Scott that is gone?"

[2] Nelson clearly valued Scott, writing in a testimonial, "...as a secretary for ability, punctuality and regularity I believe your superior is not to be met with".