Folios 146-147: George McKinley, HMS Lively, River Tagus. Reports that on 8 March,...

Folios 146-147: George McKinley, HMS Lively, River Tagus. Reports that on 8 March, while cruising off and on The Tagus, awaiting the vessels bound for Newfoundland for which the British merchants in Lisbon had applied for a convoy, he met with HMS Spartan. She had sustained damage and Captain Brenton sent an order, copy enclosed. Captain McKinley anchored and applied to Messrs Mayne and Brown, but they have no money ready and the Transport has not arrived. He will therefore proceed on 15 March with any vessels which are ready - about 9 - and see them as far as necessary westward to be unlikely to meet enemy cruisers. He met with HMS Iris and the gun brigs HMS Raven, HMS Richmond and HMS Martial on arrival. HMS Raven sails today to take charge of the homeward bound convoy due to sail from Oporto on 18 March. HMS Richmond will sail to cruise between Saint Ubes [Setubal] and The Burlings ?[Berlengas], as soon as the caulking has been completed, which was found by the Carpenter of HMS Lively to be necessary.

Folios 148-149: enclosure with folios 146-147: order dated 8 March 1807 signed by J Brenton, HMS Spartan, off Cape Espechel, to George McKinley, HMS Lively. HMS Spartan is damaged and likely to be delayed some time before she can enter the River Tagus. Captain McKinley is directed to make his way to Lisbon, where he will find the Mary transport ship, bearing arms for the British troops in Sicily and bound under Captain Brenton's convoy to Messina. Captain McKinley to take the transport ship in his convoy and receive from Messrs Mayne and Brown what they were directed to send on board HMS Spartan and proceeded to join Vice Admiral Lord Collingwood. If he is not on his station off Cadiz, Captain McKinley should proceed to Gibraltar for further instructions.