Folio 27: Thomas Manby, HMS Africaine, Spithead. Expresses his concern that their...

Folio 27: Thomas Manby, HMS Africaine, Spithead. Expresses his concern that their Lordships are displeased at his having brought in some of the vessels he had seized three days earlier on the coast of France - assures them he acted in accordance with his orders, a copy of which he encloses.

Folios 29-30: enclosure with folio 27. Orders for Manby from Rear Admiral Robert Montague, given aboard HMS Sulphur, bomb vessel, 23 June 1803 - directing him to 'immediately seize or destroy' all French and Dutch fishing vessels met with, and noting that Captain Owen of HMS Immortalite, whom he originally directed to keep HM ships in close order, presently seems unable to be found. Therefore Manby is to take under his own command all the lieutenants and masters of cutters, hired and revenue, and put to sea, also taking under his command any of HM ships he may find, in order to seize and destroy the enemy vessels. Urges him only to destroy those he is unable to bring into port. Their own ships are the Immortalite (position unknown), and he gives rough positions for the Jalouse, Fury, Basilisk, Ranger, Milbrook, Vixen, Lynx and Censor. Reminds him that a list of all the fishing vessels taken or destroyed is to be kept and returned to the Admiral.