As the British fleet closed with the opposing combined fleets of France and Spain, Lord Nelson signalled all the necessary battle instructions to his ships. Aware of the momentousness of events to come, Lord Nelson felt that something extra was required. He instructed his signal officer, Lieutenant John Pasco, to signal to the fleet, as quickly as possible, the message "England confides that every man will do his duty." Pasco suggested to Nelson that "expects" be substituted for "confides" (i.e. is confident), since the former word was in the signal book, whereas "confides" would have to be spelt out letter-by-letter. Nelson agreed to the change (even though it produced a less trusting impression):