Folio 593: Philip Charles Calderwood Henderson Durham, HMS Defiance, at sea. Covering...

Folio 593: Philip Charles Calderwood Henderson Durham, HMS Defiance, at sea. Covering letter for the enclosed copy of a lettre addressed to the Honourable Admiral William Cornwallis and request instructions respecting HMS Brutus on her arrival in Port.

Folio 594: enclosure with folio 593. Report dated 20 January 1804 by Philip Charles Calderwood Henderson Durham, HMS Defiance, at sea, to Admiral William Cornwallis. This morning observed a ship standing in for the Coast of France and from the rake of her Masts he thought she very much resembled the description of HMS Brutus. He ordered HMS Goliath to examine her but doubted the possibility of her boarding her. Captain Brisbane succeeded in taking possession of her and she did prove to be HMS Brutus with a number of suspicious passengers on board. Has ordered Captain Brisbane to take possession of her according to your orders and send her into Port. Yesterday fell in with the Weymouth American Ship from Boston bound to Bordeaux and from the Master he received the following information. A day or two previous to his sailing a Convoy of Gun Brigs and Boats and Chassmarers with their Gun on board had sailed to the Eastward and 150 Gun Boats more ready to sail, the Troops had not embarked, but believes they are at Rochfort. On the 18 January 1804 the Ships of War remained in the same situation as when reconnoitred on the 12 January 1804.