Folios 567-568: George Cockburn, HMS Phaeton, New York. Reports that Sir Andrew Hughes...

Folios 567-568: George Cockburn, HMS Phaeton, New York. Reports that Sir Andrew Hughes has just arrived, bringing the Admiralty order of 14 October 1803. Captain Cockburn has consequently applied to Consul General Thomas Barclay for the money mentioned in those orders, but the Consul reports that only half of the sum could be obtained in New York. He has therefore written to Anthony Merry, the British minister to Washington, and encloses a copy of his reply. As a result of this letter he is convoying Sir Andrew Hughes to Norfolk, Virginia, carrying with him the money he has received in New York.

Folios 569-570: enclosed with folios 567-568. Copy of a letter dated 20 December 1803 from Anthony Merry, British minister, Washington, to Captain George Cockburn, HMS Phaeton. Acknowledges Captain Cockburn's letter stating that because of their correspondence he had decided not to follow the orders he received from Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell, but to wait in New York for further orders form the Admiralty. As it turns out that only half of the sum of money which he mentioned in his previous letter could be supplied at New York, he has now received a proposal from Consul General Thomas Barclay for the balance to be supplied at Norfolk, Virginia. He has not been in a position to respond to this proposal because he did not know whether Captain Cockburn is able to sail to Norfolk to protect the second ship which is expected from London, and which will pick up the balance of the money. Asks Captain Cockburn to tell Consul Barclay what he proposes to do, as Mr Murray has told the Consul that the proposal to supply the balance of the money at Norfolk is dependant upon Captain Cockburn's co-operation.