Folios 622-624: John Fyffe, HMS Cyclops, St Helens Road. He anchored there this afternoon....

Folios 622-624: John Fyffe, HMS Cyclops, St Helens Road. He anchored there this afternoon. Following orders from Lord Nelson, Commander in Chief in the Mediterranean, he sailed from Malta on 30 October [1803] in company with HMS Charon and a convoy to Gibraltar to join the fleet about to sail for the United Kingdom. They anchored there on 17 November [1803]. Encloses a list [not resent].he received orders to place himself under the command of Captain Durban of HMS Ambuscade who took charge of the convoy. On 16 December [1803] he received orders from Sir Richard Strachan, Captain of HMS Donegal as a result of which he anchored in Cadiz Bay on 19 [December 1803]. Report of proceedings including communicating advice from Madeira, landing 14 French prisoners and sending his 1st Lieutenant Monteford [Montyford] Westrop[p] Galway to get out the vessels to join the convoy. Mentions HMS Medusa and a signal showing HMS Ambuscade's number. Despite every effort they have not been able to fall in with the convoy. Reports progress from Cape St Vincent where they were hindered by bad weather. Lord Nelson's order directs HMS Cyclops to proceed to the Downs with ships and vessels of the convoy bound to the River Thames and report there to await order. If they appear he will execute that service unless directed otherwise. Encloses information collected concerning Spanish naval equipment and an extract from a letter of Mr Frere, HM Secretary of the Legation, dated Madeira 16 December 1803 ro Mr Duff, His Majesty's Consul, Cadiz.

Folios 624-626: enclosure with folios 622-624. Copy of order dated 15 December 1803 from Sir John Strachan, Captain of HMS Donegal, senior Officer at Gibraltar, given on board HMS Donegal, Gibraltar Bay, to Captain Fyffe, HMS Cyclops. James Duff , His Majesty's Consul at Cadiz reports that there are several British vessels waiting for a convoy to England and a quantity of treasure to be embarked. He is directed to proceed to Cadiz and take the vessels under his protection and embark treasure and be ready to join the convoy under the orders of Captain Durban of HMS Ambuscade when she appears off Cadiz.

Folios 626-628: enclosure with folios 622-624. Extract from a letter dated 11 December 1803 from B Frere, Cadiz detailing Naval occurrences. Six ships of the line are fitting out in the Arsenal of Carraca. The 66-gun America is the only one that is complete and has gone out of the Arsenal. Of the rest 3 are in dock including the Trinadad and some time will elapse before they are undocked and equipped. At Ferrol they are arming 5 ships to be fitted there. They are the Neptune, Antonio Valedis, the Monarca, Antonio Argomosa, the St Augustun, Antonio Paregea, the Santa Fulginus, Joahin Riviera and the Principes, Cosma Carruca. When they are refitted they are expected at Cadiz. Of the ships to be fitted at Carthegine the 84-gun Argonaut, Brigadier Bafail De One, and the 74-gun Bohamia, Captain De Truxello arrived at Cadiz some time ago and were sent up to Carrace for work. The 112-gun San Carelos, Brigadier Luis Misius, and the Reyna Lewisa, Antonio Postigo, are expected at Cadiz. They are waiting for men to come from Majorca. Mentions also the Paula, St Poblio, St Joaquin, Guerriere and Rufina. The latter is getting ready for America, supposed to be for Lima. The King's store ship Santa Justa sailed last October [1803] for a port in Gallica with a cargo of salt. The new frigate Vengeaner built at Mahon arrived recently at Cadiz from Carthegena. The Santa Clara sailed from Ferrol for LIma in February [1803] and arrived 22 June [1803] , the Mercedes put into Rio Janeiro in a leaky state. Advice from HMS Havana states that the Alexandra was expected to proceed for Vera Cruz. The French ship L'Aigle and corvette Torch and the 18-gun brig Argus arrived there recently. Copy of a letter dated 16 December 1803 from B Frere, His Majesty's Secretary of Legation, Madeira to James Duff, His Majesty's Consul at Cadiz. Asks him to advise all of His Majesty's subjects in his district to take suitable repcautions in the event of a rupture betwen the 2 courts. His brother who has been at the Escureal (sp?) for a few days will retunr tonight or tomorrow.