Folios 183-184: James A Gordon, HMS Active. He reports his arrival at the Motherbank...

Folios 183-184: James A Gordon, HMS Active. He reports his arrival at the Motherbank together with the French prize the frigate Pomona or Pomone, captained by Captain WB Dashwood who is acting commander as per the order of Sir Edward Pellew. They have arrived together with Transports and Trade Vessels bound for Portsmouth. HMS Paulina parted company on 9 May 1812 off the Isle of Wight with those trade vessels bound eastwards. He encloses a copy of his orders and a log of his proceedings from 2 March to 10 May 1812 (the latter not enclosed.)

Folios 185-185A: Enclosure to folios 183-184: An order from Commodore C Penrose in San Juan, Gibraltar to Captain Gordon dated 12 April 1812. He orders him to take under his protection such British and allied vessels as wish to join him, together with the vessels already in his convoy and depart as soon as possible, first giving him a list of the vessels in the convoy.

Folios 186-187: Enclosure to folios 183-184: Copy of an undated order from John Laugharne Rear Admiral of the White and Senior officer in Command of the naval ships and vessels in Malta to Captain James Gordon of HMS Active. The order is countersigned by David Evans. He is directed to make signal to the masters of Pomona or Pomone, Maris and Orion and any other vessels in the port who wish to join a convoy to Gibraltar and then on to England. In so far as he is able he should aim to put to sea on 1 March 1812. On reaching Gibraltar he should pick up any Trade vessles bound for England that wish to join him.

He is referred to the orders for taking charge of convoys dated 23 January 1811, a copy of which is enclosed (not enclosed). In particular he and the ships in the convoy are ordered to hoist the yellow quarantine flag on entering the Channel. HMS Paulina has been ordered to assist in accompanying the convoy. This order has been send to the Captain of that vessel and the masters of the Pomona or Pomone, which has 300 French prisoners on board. He must pay close attention to that vessel and to the Maris which has invalided soldiers on board and to the Orion which is laden with sulphur. HM Store ship Malabar will also be part of the convoy to Gibraltar and then on to England should she so wish. At the Motherbank HMS Pauline will depart with those trade and other vessels going eastward. At which point he should contact the Admiralty to announce his arrival and enclose these orders, his log of proceedings and a list of the vessels in the convoy. At the same time the Commissioners of the Transport Service must be told of his arrival with the prisoners of war together with an account of their number and conditions.