Folios 449-450: George Countess, HMS Daedalus, Princes Island. Petition for payment...

Folios 449-450: George Countess, HMS Daedalus, Princes Island. Petition for payment of a Master's pension to the widow of David Thomson, late Master of HMS Daedalus, although he was 11 days short of completing one year's service as Master. He has left a widow and large family in a state of extreme distress. He had a variety of misfortunes which affected him greatly and no doubt contributed to his death. He had long service, having served with Captain Cumming on HMS Carysfort in the War of 1780. Whilst with Captain Countess he proved to be a diligent officer.

Folios 451-452: enclosure with folios 449-450. Undated and unsigned note - If the Master of HMS Daedalus was properly warranted by the Navy Board, his widow is entitled to the pension of £30 per year, although he did not serve one year. Article 6 of the Rules relative to Widows Pensions states that"no widows shall be admitted to the Charity, who has not been married twelve months, to the Officer by whose right she claims the same, unless the said Officer was killed or drowned in the Service." The writer notes that he imagines that the Officers of HMS Daedalus have applied that condition as relating to the Master's period of service.

Folios 453-454: enclosure with folios 449-450. Undated petition from the Officers of HMS Daedalus: George Sayer, 1st Lieutenant, William Thompson, 2nd Lieutenant, Francis Talbot, 3rd Lieutenant, Samuel Ball, Acting Master, John Ferguson, Lieutenant Marines, Thomas Curser, William Winter, Surgeon. Petition on behalf of the widow and family of George Thompson, late Master of HMS Daedalus, who died at Cape Coast on 23 March, requesting payment of a Master's pension despite his having served 11 days less then one year in the position.

Folios 455-456: enclosure with folios 449-450. Copy of letter from Captain Henry Mowat, HMS Assistance and Senior Office Halifax [Nova Scotia], to Captain Countess, HMS Daedalus, 16 September 1796. Orders to proceed from this harbour to Spithead, first anchoring at the Mother Bank, where he should remain until receiving further orders. If the infectious fever on the ship continues there should be no communication with any ships they might meet on the voyage, or with anyone else before further orders are received.