Folios 243-246: Murray Maxwell, Bath. Recounts events from late 1811 until 1812,...

Folios 243-246: Murray Maxwell, Bath. Recounts events from late 1811 until 1812, when he was in command of the squadron stationed at Lipa for the protection of that island. The French Dalmatian army of 3500 men under General Bettram began assembling at Leisina, intending to attack. Maxwell therefore appealed to the owners and Masters of the Privateers who cruised the Adriatic coast to help defend the island. They agreed, asking for a passport for a small vessel to go out and call in all the privateers, so that they could take turns at guarding the narrow channel between Leisina and Lipa. The Serpente was one of these. The French squadron was defeated, and on 29 November [1811] General Bettram broke up from Leisina and returned with his army to Dalmatia. This released the privateers, whom he thanked for the essential service they had given to His Majesty's Service, and at that time they were perfectly satisfied. Maxwell was replaced from the command by [John?] Talbot in January [1812] . On 4 February [1812] the owners of the Serpente delivered a dispatch to HMS Victorious, off Ragusa. Requesting or ordering the Master of a privateer to deliver a letter if falling in with a King's Ship does not seem to Maxwell to entitle the owners to remuneration. Although there was no legal framework at Lipa but Maxwell's will, and no justice except what he administered, he took care that no inadvertent action of his should lead to future expense. He had persuaded the mixture of people he had under his temporary authority to do their duty without having to wait on written orders.