Folios 84-85: Wilson Rathbone, HMS Santa Margarita, Funchal Roads. Encloses a copy...

Folios 84-85: Wilson Rathbone, HMS Santa Margarita, Funchal Roads. Encloses a copy of his orders from Rear Admiral Charles Stirling, the application which was made to the British Consul by the vessels in his convoy and the Consul's application to Captain Rathbone, which is the reason he is going to Barbados. He will then return to the Admiral of the Fleet off Ushant or to Plymouth. Postscript. On 14 May in Latitude 45º 12' N, Longitude 13º 29' W the convoy was followed by three French frigates which he managed to chase off.

Folio 86: enclosed with folios 84-85. Copy of a letter dated 27 May 1806 from Captain Wilson Rathbone, HMS Santa Margarita, Funchal Roads, to Rear Admiral Charles Stirling. Encloses copies of the application made to the British Consul by the Master of the vessels in his convoy, of the Consul's application to him and of his reply. Hopes this will explain why he is going on to Barbados before returning to Ushant.

Folio 87: enclosed with folios 84-85. Copy of a letter from Surgeon John Spark, HMS Santa Margarita, Madeira, to Captain Wilson Rathbone, 29 May 1806. As the ship has been 15 weeks out of port and as scurvy has appeared among the crew, recommend that supplies of fresh meat, vegetables and wine be procured.

Folio 88: enclosed with folios 84-85. Copy of orders from Rear Admiral Charles Stirling, HMS Glory, at sea, to Captain Wilson Rathbone, HMS Santa Margarita, 8 May 1806. He is ordered to take the 11 ships listed, which left Falmouth on Monday bound for the West Indies, and convoy them to the Island of Madeira, where they should be able to meet the convoy escorted by HMS Elephant.

Folio 89: enclosed with folios 84-85. Copy of a letter from Joseph Pringle, British Consul, Madeira, to Captain Wilson Rathbone, HMS Santa Margarita, 26 May 1806. Encloses a copy of the application made to him by the Masters of the ships which Captain Rathbone brought in his convoy, asking to be escorted at least as far as the Canary Islands.

Folio 90-91: Enclosed with folio 89. Copy of a letter signed by the Masters of 10 merchant vessels recently arrived in Madeira to British Consul Joseph Pringle, 26 May 1806. Report they were part of a convoy which was due to sail from Falmouth on 20 May under escort from HMS Elephant, Captain George Dundas, to the West Indies. On 5 May HMS L' Espoir appeared outside the port and made a convoy signal, instructing them to come out to join the British squadron further offshore. After they sailed they lost sign of L'Espoir and by the following morning found they were 11 merchant ships, but that no men of war were in sight. Three days later they met a British squadron commanded by Rear Admiral Charles Stirling and were instructed by Captain Wilson Rathbone of HMS Santa Margarita to proceed with him to Madeira. They understand Captain Rathbone's orders are to return to the squadron, ask if instead the Consul can induce him to accompany them to the West Indies.