Folio 149: Edward Brace, HMS St Albans, Cadiz Bay. Encloses a copy of letter to him...

Folio 149: Edward Brace, HMS St Albans, Cadiz Bay. Encloses a copy of letter to him from Captain Keith Maxwell of HMS Nymphen and his reply, asks that the Admiralty supply the information which will clear his name.

Folio 150: enclosed with folio 149. Letter dated 19 April 1811 by J W Croker, Secretary to the Admiralty, to Captain Edward Brace, HMS St Albans, Cadiz. He has laid Captain Brace's letter of 24 March and the enclosed letter from Captain Keith Maxwell before the Admiralty and they completely approve of his conduct in the matter.

Folios 151-153: enclosed with folio 149. Copy of a letter dated 21 December 1810 from Captain Keith Maxwell, 13 Norfolk Street, London to Captain Edward Brace, HMS St Albans. He wishes to comment on the extraordinary result of the inquiry held aboard HMS Nymphen at Sheerness. During the period that he was present during the inquiry the information obtained was superficial and imperfect. The assertions made by the Surgeon about the conduct of officers of the Gun Room were sufficient grounds for a court martial. He does not know what the other officers said, and he has not been furnished with a copy of the report of the inquiry which he feels he is entitled to. Several of his friends have suggested that Captain Brace was influenced by previous prejudices, but from his conduct and manner towards him Captain Maxwell cannot believe this. He believes this suggestion refers to their previous meeting off the coast of Ireland and his attempts to receive his senior officer personally before they parted company, even though he was in poor health because of long and arduous service off the coast of Africa. Does not know why the Surgeon of the Nymphen chose to refer to this incident. When he arrived at the Nore and the Admiral asked him if he had any objections, he mentioned the incident off Ireland and another circumstance relating to Captain Arthur Farquhar, but told the Admiral he had no objections because he relied on the honour of his brother officers. There may have been suspicions of unfairness, but he will await Captain Brace's reply before taking any further action. Feels that he musts take some action to deal with the damage to his reputation. 24 March 1811. Copy of Captain Brace's reply to Captain Maxwell from HMS St Albans, Cadiz Bay. He does not feel accountable to Captain Maxwell's friends for his conduct, and has referred his letter to the Admiralty for them to take whatever action they see fit.

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Weapons

Ireland

Navy

Armed Forces (General Administration)