Folios 256-257: Robert Barton, HMS York, Cowsand Bay. He has arrived in Cowsand Bay,...

Folios 256-257: Robert Barton, HMS York, Cowsand Bay. He has arrived in Cowsand Bay, having sent on the rest of the convoy of 16 sail from Gibraltar with HMS Halcyon. Ships for Bristol and St George's channel left in the night without permission. 2 or 3 put into Ireland with permission, for provisions. He is sending a copy of his orders and a list of the ships in the convoy. He took into the convoy merchant ships from Alicante as the enemy were close at hand, as requested by British merchants there.

Folios 257-258: enclosure with folios 256-257 copy of orders signed by Edward Pellew, Vice Admiral of the Red, Commander in Chief of ships in the Mediterranean, countersigned by Edward H. Lockier. He is ordered to proceed to Valencia to rendezvous with HMS Magnificient and deliver a letter to Captain Eyre, from whom he will take over duties. Captain Eyre will proceed to Gibraltar and England. When relieved by Captain Adams in HMS Invincible, he is to proceed to Gibraltar to take charge of any convoy for England which is ready, or proceed to Plymouth if not ready, to await orders.