Folios 422-423: Edward William Campbell Rich Owen, HMS Clyde, the Downs.Responds...

Folios 422-423: Edward William Campbell Rich Owen, HMS Clyde, the Downs.Responds to the order to command the vessels used to blockade certain French ports in the Channel. Admiral Holloway has turned these over to him and employed Jean Baptister Offroy as Pilot as ordered by the Commander in Chief. Offroy has local knowledge from Calais to Fecamp, has communicated with our government and was on HMS Antelope with Sir Sydney Smith who commanded the same squadron. No written document was given to Captain Owen but when he departed for the Eider, he left the Pilot's name on board the Flagship and to Sir Admiral Rowley. Orders from the latter were verbal, two letters from the Navy Board are enclosed but no written communication has been found. Asks that Offroy is paid as Pilot for the time he has served and provide a command regarding the Pilot's future employment.

Folios 424-425: enclosure with folios 422-423. Letter dated 29 August 1807 from Mr. Meek, Deal's Admiralty Office to Captain Owen. He encloses letters from the Navy Board concerning the employment of Jean Baptiste Offroy, former Master of a French Prize, a collier's brig captured by the carrier Cutter on 15th September 1805. On 21st September Offroy was sent to Lord Castlereaugh's Office in Downing Street to see Mr. Cooke. There is no official record but Mr. Meek recalls that Offroy came from Town and said he was to be employed as a Pilot under Sir Sidney Smith, then off Boulogne. Any documents on this subject may have been passed between the [Alien?] office or between Lord Castlereaugh and Sir Sidney Smith in Town.

Folios 426-427: enclosure with folios 422-423. Letter dated 18th August 1807 by Lord Gambier, [Jouerue...?] and Sir Vesey Hamilton to Commodore Owen. The Navy Board states that they have not had a reply to their question of bearing three Pilots on HMS Clyde.

Folio 428: enclosure with folios 422-423. Letter dated 20th June 1807 by Lord Gambier, Sir Francis Hartwell and [Jouerue?}] Navy Board to Commodore Owen. Concerning Pilots granted to HMS Clyde, they have certificates for pilotage dated 25th ultimo and 2nd instant. It appears as though there is a third Pilot employed. The Navy Board states that the Admiralty will only pay for two pilots and asks for a copy of the Commander in Chief's order for employing a third Pilot. Note on reverse dated 20 June 1807 asking for the same authority.