Folios 251-252: James Cornwallis, HMS Sheerness, the Downs. Reports his arrival on...

Folios 251-252: James Cornwallis, HMS Sheerness, the Downs. Reports his arrival on orders from Cape Nicola Mole, Sir Hyde Parker and thirty four merchant ships under his convoy. He did not see any Men-of-War till he reached Kinsale. He signaled, leaving fourteen ships with a fair wind to make the best of their ways to Bristol, Liverpool and up the Irish Channel. He then sailed for Scilly with seventeen ships, the Leviathan having parted company in a heavy gale during the night September 8th. Reports the Nancy and Rambler parted company with the Convoy without permission. Encloses copy of convoy list [no longer present] and Sir Hyde Parker’s orders.

Folio 253-254: enclosed in folios 251-252. Orders dated 24 August 1797 by Sir Hyde Parker, Vice Admiral of the Red, Jamaica. Copy of Orders to Captain Cornwallis, HMS Sheerness, given onboard HMS Adventure, Cape Nicola Mole, signed Vice Admiral Osborn, 24 August 1797. To take HMS Squirrel and HMS Charlotte brig with all other vessels for England after taking on water and provisions at Jamaica. At 30° North to direct Captain Handy, HMS Squirrel to proceed with HMS Charlotte on orders to their station. To use a private signal to any cruisers when approaching the English or Irish coast and to rendezvous with the convoy at Cape Clear. Then to take ships going up the Irish and Bristol Channels and as you are able, the Trade to London then proceed to the Downs.