Folios 277-278: Lord John Colville, HMS Queen, Hamoaze. Acknowledges receipt of the...

Folios 277-278: Lord John Colville, HMS Queen, Hamoaze. Acknowledges receipt of the petition of Isaac Fisher and Joseph Frankel Alexander and reports that the circumstances described in the petition are unknown to him and he has no means of ascertaining whether the contents are correct. Advises that there is an inaccuracy which is evident by reference to his journal and concerns the statement that the petitioner fell in with the West Indian and Mediterranean Convoys off the Lizard on 29 November 1814. Explains why this could not be possible because due to the facts that the vessels had split to take two different courses and he had lost sight of the West Indian convoy by sunset on 28 November 1813. Advises that communications were severely hampered by weather conditions between 1 December and 6 December 1813 and it would have been impossible for the Petitioner to have obtained instructions during that period. States that it is impossible to say whether the Petitioner fell in with part of the fleet or not. Advises he reached the Rendezvous off Madeira on 14 December 1813, remaining there for 24 hours and where he was able to collect, when off the island, the majority of the ships which had dispersed during the gale. Gives the co-ordinates for the position of HMS Queen at noon on 29 November 1813.