Folios 141-142: John Dilkes, HMS Madras, at Sea [Position given]. I wrote to you...

Folios 141-142: John Dilkes, HMS Madras, at Sea [Position given]. I wrote to you by HMS Regulus who parted company on 29 July 1799, (bound for the Cape of Good Hope) of our proceeding so far, and that the Walker had parted without permission, to go to the Cape Verde Islands to stop a leak in the Rudder Coat. On the 8 August 1799 Captain [Andrew] Timbrell of the India Company's ship Albion coming on board presented me with two letters stating that"having unfortunately sprung a leak in the Wooden Ends on the larboard side of the stern that it was highly necessary she should go into Port before rounding the Cape of Good Hope, as she makes in moderate weather seven or eight inches per hour and that" in consultation with his officers they thought"it absolutely necessary to go into the port of Rio [de] Janeiro, that it was of the highest consequence to the Commerce of the Honourable Company that the force of the Woodford and Albion should be united after they part from your command. I request she may be allowed to part company with me as I conceive it absolutely necessary for the safety of the ships. Captain [Andrew] Timbrell thus making himself responsible to the East India Company, I gave leave, and they accordingly parted from me that night, On the night of the 10 August 1799 the Asia parted company on what pretence I have not the least idea; she had dropped astern during the day setting up her rigging (which had been done by all the day before by signal), and she had made sail at sunset; it was very fine moderate weather and she was seen in the night by one of the sternmost ships apparently steering three points from our course, the same I had been steering the whole day before, Captain Welladvice India Company ships Charlton has asked my permission, and parted this day to go to the Cape of Good Hope, I think his reasons are just and right. I am now left with the China Ships only, and shall not have any wants or stops before we reach the Straits. I continue without a sick man in the ship.