Folios 232-233: John Mortimer, Barnstaple, Devonshire. Encloses a Surgical Case and...

Folios 232-233: John Mortimer, Barnstaple, Devonshire. Encloses a Surgical Case and Statement of Service. Advises he served as Midshipman and Master's Mate with Sir John Colpoys, Master and Acting Lieutenant with Captain George Anson Byron and he was made a Lieutenant in June 1790. Advises he was appointed 1st Lieutenant in 1790 on HMS Mermaid serving under Lord Collingwood and was involved in Lord Howe's action of 1 June 1794. On 14 February 1797 he was promoted to Commander of HMS Excellent in consequence of Lord St.Vincent's victory. Advises he is rendered incapable of serving due to impaired health caused by the climate in the West Indies as described in the enclosed Surgical Case. Asks to be considered for the new Greenwich Pension and make inquiry of Sir John Colpoys if necessary.

Folios 234-235: enclosed with folios 232-233. Letter dated 2 February 1810 by William Smith, Surgeon of Bideford and Member of the late Corporation of Surgeons of London. Advises that Captain John Mortimer applied for medical and surgical assistance in 1802 and describes a cancerous ulcerated lip and his health was impaired by the West Indies climate. After consultation with Doctor Dyer, Exeter and Mr. Hill, Barnstaple it was determined the tumour should be removed. Although the operation was successful he suffers from poor health and he opines that a hot climate could bring on schirri externally or in the liver.

Folios 236a-236b: enclosed with folios 232-233. Letter dated 11 December 1810 by Primrose Blair, Physician to the Squadron, HMS Sans Pareil to Robert Montagu, Rear Admiral of the White and Commander in Chief. Opines that the only way to prevent Captain Mortimer's death is the excision of the cancer and his chances are greater if he has the operation in England.

Folios 327a-237b: enclosed with folios 232-233. Letter dated 16 December 1801 by Primrose Blair, Physician to the Squadron, A. Menzies, HMS Sans Pareil, William Waller, HMS Brunswick and Robert Crichton, HMS Elephant, Port Royal Harbour, Jamaica pursuant to an order from Robert Montagu, Rear Admiral of the White and Commander in Chief. Advises they have examined Captain Mortimer and find he has an inveterate cancer on his under lip. Opines that he should return to England to have an operation to cut out the cancer.