Folios 545-547: Richard Hill, Jersey. Confirms that he has not wilfully withheld...

Folios 545-547: Richard Hill, Jersey. Confirms that he has not wilfully withheld any papers that might be necessary for the Captain who superceded him. When he received the private signals from Mr Maxwell, Secretary to Admiral Sir Petr Parker, he told him they would be in force only a short time as a new code would shortly be issued but they would be serviceable for him going to Ireland. When he arrived on that coast the private signals were answered but when HMS Magnanime arrived with the french prizes in Belfast Lough they were of no use as she did not answer. He asked Captain de Courcy who told him the new code had been established. He never received any other signals. On his return to England the signals were of no use. On arrival at Spithead last January he found her repairs would require taking down part of the cabin. He therefore went on shore and took the box with the private signals with him and have been in his possession ever since. He intended to return them to Sir Peter Parker but was taken very ill and confined to his lodgings until going on board the vessel that brought him to this island. When Captain Puget superceded him he called on him at his lodgings and since the signals ere not in force he did not think it necessary to take them. He commanded HMS Tromp for a fortnight and then Captain Worsley superceded him 4 days before he [Hill] left Gosport. he wrote to him saying ill heath prevented him calling on him but he would be happy to give him every information concerning the ship that he could. He had left books on board and he knows of nothing he has withheld except as explained above. Encloses the private signals received from Mr Maxwell [not present].