Folios 231-232: John Ferrier, HMS Albion, St Helena. he arrived there today with...

Folios 231-232: John Ferrier, HMS Albion, St Helena. he arrived there today with HMS Albion and HMS Sceptre and 16 China ships named in the margin that he had taken under his protection on 28 February [1804] in the straits of Malacca. he intends to sail for Madras in about 3 weeks when he hopes the 2 ships' companies will be recovered from the scurvy. He is enclosing copies of his letters to Admiral Rainier which will explain his reasons for taking charge of the China fleets and coming to St Helena and copies of letters between himself and the Commander of the Earl Camden and of the request of the Masters of the Country Ships to see them in sight of Trincomaly[Trincomalee].He is enclosing the report of the condition of HMS Albion and HMS Sceptre.

Folio 233: enclosure with folios 231-232. Copy of letter dated 7 February 1804 from John Ferrier, HMS Albion, Madras Roads, to Vice Admiral Rainier, Commander in Chief at Bombay. Yesterday Lord William Bentick received information from Bencoolen that Admiral Linois with the Marengo, 2 frigates and a corvette, had been there from 1 to 5 December [1803] and had destroyed some Country ships and Company's property details of which will be sent by Mr Hoeseason. It is probable the french intend to intercept the China ships. With the agreement of his Excellency he is taking these ships under the protection of HMS Albion and HMS Sceptre to go through the straits of Malacca and Singapore and cruise off Point Romania. He plans to dispatch a frigate from the straits of Malacca to look into Batavia and join him off the strait of Singapore. If he has reason to suppose that Admiral Linois has returned to the Isle of France he will proceed to this anchorage with HMS Albion and HMS Sceptre.

Folios 234-235: enclosure with folios 231-232. Copy of letter dated 17 March 1804 from John Ferrier, HMS Albion, at sea [position given] to Vice Admiral Rainier. He put to sea from Madras with HMS Albion and HMS Sceptre on 9 [February 1804], arrived off Pulo Penang on 25 [February 1804] and stood into the straits of Malacca on 28 [February 1804]. He joined the China fleet consisting of 16 European ships and 12 country ships, the latter bound for madras and Bombay which were met by a French squadron off Pulo Aura supposedly commanded by Admiral Linois. The China fleet attacked and forced the enemy from its cruising ground. The country ships passed Pulo Aura 2 days after the reconnoitre without seeing the French squadron so they were assumed to have returned to Batavia or isle of France. The Woodford was the only China ship left at Wampoa. Gives reasons why he took it upon himself to protect the China ships. He is enclosing an extract of the despatch from the Commandant at Bencoolen to Lord William Bentick and the state and condition of HMS Albion and HMS Sceptre.

Folios 235-236: enclosure with folios 231-232. Abstract of despatch dated 14 December 1803 from the Commandant at Bencoolen, Fort Malbro, to Lord William Bentick, received at Madras 7 February 1804, not sent from Bencoolen till 29 December [1803]. Reports an encounter on 1 December [1803]between the French and the Flora, Captain Dundas, the Eliza, Captain Stevenson, and the Nancy, Captain McCarty, the Marlbro, Captain Slater, the Surat merchant, Sturgeon, Ewer and Ritchie at Poolo Bay. The Eliza Ann was captured and Mr Mills, the Chief Mate is reported to be killed.

Folio 236: enclosure with folios 231-232. Letter dated 3 December 1803 from C Eggleston, on board the Marengo, to Perrcare Esq. Asks the Governor to be informed that the Malays who came off to the ship yesterday were detained by force to pilot the fleet in were released. Asks the letter reporting the capture of the Countess of Southerland on 22 [November 1803] by this squadron to be forwarded to Calcutta. Followed by’ note signed Ewer. Reports the Company’'s cutter being chased near Croll.

Folio 237: enclosure with folios 231-232. Unsigned report dated 25 February 1804 from HMS Albion, off Prince of Wales’s Island. Describes the delay in receiving the dispatches from Bencoolen and the resulting risks.

Folios 237-238: enclosure with folios 231-232. Copy of letter dated 17 March 1804 from John Ferrier, HMS Albion off Ceylon to Vice Admiral Rainer. Report of reasons for delaying parting company with the country ships until they were within sight of Ceylon. The delay would only be 2 days and would protect the very valuable cargoes.

Folio 238: enclosure with folios 231-232. Copy of letter dated 15 March 1804 from Nathaniel Dance, Senior Commander, on board the Earl Camden. Protests against the decision not delay parting company with the country ships. His Officers informed him of this having heard it from Captain McFarlain of the Lord Castlereagh when he was on board HMS Albion.

Folio2 239-240: enclosure with folios 231-232. Copy of letter dated 15 march 1804 from John Farrier, HMS Albion, at sea, to Captain Dance, the Earl Camden. Explains why he has decided not to part company with the country ships until they were within sight of Ceylon which will only require 2 days. The Earl Camden is at liberty to part company.

Folios 240-241: enclosure with folios 231-232. Copy of letter dated 16 March 1804 from Nathaniel Dance, the Earl Camden, to Captain Ferrier, HMS Albion. His previous letter was written as the Senior Commander. He intends to summons the other Commanders on board the Earl Camden in order to communicate their united opinion.

Folios 241-242: enclosure with folios 231-232. Copy of letter dated 16 March 1804 from John Ferrier, HMS Albion, at sea, to Captain Dance, Earl Camden. He has taken charge of the China fleet and is responsible to the Admiralty only for his conduct. He must decline ant further correspondence with him respecting the ships under his charge.

Folios 242-243: enclosure with folios 231-232. Copy of letter dated 15 March 1804 from C Macfarlane, Cobgil (sp?), John Stewart and William R Stewart, Committee of the Masters of the Country ships, at sea, to John Ferrier, HMS Albion. Explain why they think their ships will be in particular danger if they part company now and names ships that have been taken. Ask to be convoyed within sight of Trincomaly [Trincomalee].

Folio 243: enclosure with folios 231-232. Weekly return of the sick and wounded of HMS Sceptre dated 16 June 1804 from John Cunningham, Surgeon.

Folios 244: enclosure with folios 231-232. Weekly return of the sick and wounded of HMS Albion in St Helena dated 16 June 1804. Surgeon’s Mates [..] Duncan and [..] Foden. Surgeon’s signature illegible.

Folio 245: enclosure with folios 231-232. State and condition of HMS Sceptre dated 9 June 1804, Captain A C Dickson, St Helena.

Folio 246: enclosure with folios 231-232. State and condition of HMS Albion dated 9 June 1804, Captain John Ferrier, St Helena.