Folio 225: Robert Dudley Oliver, HMS Melpomene, at the Nore. Sending a list of ships...

Folio 225: Robert Dudley Oliver, HMS Melpomene, at the Nore. Sending a list of ships that he convoyed from Cuxhaven [not now present]. He says 14 of them sailed with him from the Nore but finding the French in possession of Hanover, and that all English vessels had been ordered from Hamburg, it would be imprudent to remain any longer in the Elbe. Also the French had ordered the confiscation of English property at Bremen, see attached letter from the vice consul.

Folio 226: enclosed with folio 225. Letter dated 7 June 1803 by Edward Nicholas, Vice Consul at Hamburg, saying he had to ask Captain Oliver to remain at Cuxhaven till he heard further from Mr Rumbold or himself - this letter is a follow-up to his first as he fears the Amethyst is under orders to sail and therefore the Melpomene is the only frigate there and it is absolutely necessary for the safety of the trade that he should stop any British vessels from coming up the river. Also to inform the captains of merchant vessels not to unload any of their cargo and to enforce this if necessary with gunboats, as at Bremen the French have demanded the confiscation of all British property, and he is not to suffer any vessel to pass, under whatever flag, with British property on board.