Folio 557-558: George Cockburn, HMS Phaeton, New York. Encloses [no longer present]...

Folio 557-558: George Cockburn, HMS Phaeton, New York. Encloses [no longer present] a copy of the orders he received from Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell, and as he was about to put them into execution he received a representation from Anthony Merry, a copy of which he also encloses. As a result, he is awaiting further instructions from the Admiralty, and has written back to Admiral Mitchell and encloses a copy of his letter. PS He also encloses a duplicate of his last letter to the Admiralty.

Folio 558-560: enclosed with folios 557-558. Copy of a letter from Anthony Merry, Georgetown, to Captain George Cockburn of HMS Phaeton dated 9 December 1803. He has just received Captain Cockburn's letter of December 4 saying that he had orders to sail to join Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell at Bermuda. But he himself has direct orders from the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to have a sum of $444,000 delivered to HMS Phaeton at New York, and he will then give Captain Cockburn directions about where to take this money. Fresh orders for Captain Cockburn are being brought in another ship, which would have sailed from England a few days after HMS Phaeton for New York, and which will then take on board an equal sum of money. Captain Cockburn will then be given a fresh destination for the money. He was instructed by government ministers to say nothing about these orders while he was taking passage in HMS Phaeton and not until the second ship had reached New York. But since he now learns that Admiral Mitchell has given Captain Cockburn fresh orders which would contradict those he carries, he trusts this will give the Captain sufficient authority not to put Admiral Mitchell's order into execution. He would not presume to issue orders to the Captain of a Navy ship, but is aware of instances when persons carrying out the King's instructions in foreign countries have had occasion to call on Navy Captains to assist them. Asks Captain Cockburn for a prompt reply saying what he now proposes to do, so that he can send that reply and a copy of this letter to the Foreign Secretary. If Captain Cockburn decides he has to follow Admiral Mitchell's orders, asks him to at least wait in New York until Mr Merry can respond with a letter for Admiral Mitchell to explain the possible consequences of this course of action.

Folios 560-561: enclosed with folios 557-558. Copy of orders from Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell, Commander in Chief at Halifax, HMS Leander, Halifax Harbour, to Captain George Cockburn of HMS Phaeton, dated 20 November 1803. Captain Cockburn is ordered to join Admiral Mitchell immediately at Bermuda, or if he is not there to wait for his arrival. If Anthony Merry has any despatches for the Admiral, Captain Cockburn should inform him of these orders. Any despatches which Mr Merry wishes to send to Europe, the Admiral has asked him to forward in the usual way by packet rather than giving them to Captain Cockburn. If Mr Terret, the Judge Advocate of the Admiralty Court for Bermuda, who is now in New York, should ask for it, Captain Cockburn is to give him passage to Bermuda.

Folios 562-563: enclosed with folios 557-558. Copy of a letter dated 14 December 1803 from Captain George Cockburn, HMS Phaeton, New York, to Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell. He had received Admiral Mitchell's orders dated November 20, 1803, but as his ship was not yet ready for sea, he wrote to Anthony Merry to say he was going to Bermuda and to ask whether he had any communications for the Admiral. As he was about to sail he received Mr Murray's reply, a copy of which he encloses, and which persuaded him to delay his departure. Judge Terrett has consequently taken passage to Bermuda in a merchant ship, and will carry this letter to the Admiral. Captain Cockburn notes that the orders from Admiral Mitchell mention the Captain's proposed return to Europe, but since, by order of the Admiralty, he was given eight months' provisions and a large quantity of lime juice before he left England, he in convinced that his ship was intended for further overseas service. That being so, he proposes to await the arrival of the ship which Mr Merry mentions. Hope the Admiral will understand why he is acting contrary to his orders. If the Admiral writes back immediately, he may well receive the reply before he leaves New York because the ship arriving from England is likely to need water and stores before she is ready to sail with him. He will send copies of the Admiral's orders and his reply, as well as a copy of Mr Murray's letter, to the Admiralty.

Folio 564: [Blank].