Folios 158-159: A memorial from Lieutenant Mitchell Roberts to Lord Melville. Lieutenant...

Folios 158-159: A memorial from Lieutenant Mitchell Roberts to Lord Melville. Lieutenant Roberts writes that he has been informed by Rear Admiral Gower that there is little hope of early promotion unless an individual has a particularly strong claim. In the document he makes out that he has just such a claim. He points out that others, more junior than him who had actually served under him, have been promoted. He mentions the eighteen actions he has seen in the twenty one years he has been in the navy and in which he has taken part, often leading the action, when serving on HMS Elizabeth. During these actions he took forts and prisoners and destroyed eight armed and forty other vessels. Subsequently, he was superceded from HMS Elizabeth. He refers Lord Melville to Admirals Fremantle, Curzon and Gower under whom he had served.

Folios 160-161: enclosure to folios 158-159. An internal Admiralty note dated 24 September 1814 directing the Lieutenant Roberts be promoted to Commander.

Folio 162: enclosure to folios 158-159. Letter from Captain E Leveson Gower, HMS Elizabeth off Corfu, dated 25 May 1814 to Rear Admiral Sir John Gore. The document gives the details of an action that took place the previous evening. They gave chase to the enemy vessel L'Aigle, under the command of Ensigneur de Vaisjeau. It was well armed and had a crew of 41. Despite the efforts of Captain Noel, initially they had no success. Then Lieutenant Roberts volunteered to try and take her with HMS Elizabeth's boats, this he did whilst being all the time under the guns at Vigo. Despite Captain Gower's reluctance to risk his men's lives he felt it imperative to teach the Governor of Corfu that he could not continue his piratical expeditions under the French flag. Eleven gun boats came out to meet Lieutenant Roberts but would not venture out of the range of the shore batteries. He praised Lieutenant Roberts highly who in turn commends Messers William Jones, Lipscombe, Keys, Hodder and Wardell and their boat crews. His crew suffered no loss but the enemy ship lost one officer who was killed.

Folio 163: enclosure to folios 158-159. A copy note to Rear Admiral Fremantle from Captain E Leveson Gower, HMS Elizabeth off the River Po dated 29 April 1813 concerning the actions of Lieutenant Roberts. He describes an engagement that takes place off Gora (probably Goro) in which a convoy of seven enemy merchant vessels were attacked by Lieutentant Roberts and boats of HMS Elizabeth and Lieutenant Greenway and the boats of HMS Eagle. Together they captured four of the vessels and ran the other three aground. Lieutenant Holbrook of HMS Eagle was also commended together with all of the Petty Officers and men involved. They took no casualties. The action took place under the guns of the shore battery that kept up heavy fire and amid a tremendous surf. Two enemy schooners and three gunboats were involved who also kept up continuous fire.

Folio 164: enclosure to folios 158-159. A copy note to Rear Admiral Freemantle from Captain E Leveson Gower of HMS Elizabeth off Omago (probably Umag) near Istria. He had received intelligence that the enemy were sending three vessels loaded with powder along the coast of Istria and so he went to investigate. He saw three such vessels in Omago and stood to in company with HMS Eagle. Together the launched a land and sea pincer movement. The Marines under Captains Graham and Lieutenant Price from HMS Eagle stormed the town, meanwhile Lieutenants Roberts and Bennet of HMS Elizabeth and Lieutenants Greenway and Hotham of HMS Eagle attacked in their boats from the sea. Together they destroyed a two gun batteries and brought out 4 vessels loaded with wine that had been scuttled. One man was wounded but the conduct of all was highly creditable.

Folio 165: enclosure to folios 158-159. Letter from Captain E Leveson Gower, HMS Elizabeth off Cortelozza (probably Cortelazzo) to Rear Admiral Fremantle. He encloses a copy of Lieutenant Robert's account of the successful action he led together with marine Captain Zachari and his men. (Note not enclosed.) He recommends Lieutenant Robert's promotion.

Folios 166-167: enclosure to folios 158-159. Letter from Vice Admiral Curzon , Davies Street, dated 13 September 1814 to Viscount Melville commending Lieutenant Roberts.

Folio 168: enclosure to folios 158-159. Letter from Captain E Leveson Gower, HMS Elizabeth in the Fasona Roads (probably Fasana Roads) to Rear Admiral Fremantle dated 20 June 1813. He had received intelligence that the French office, that organised and funded their Militia and Commisaries, was based at Dignano. He landed 50 seamen under Lieutenants Roberts and Bennet and the marines under Captain Graham and Lieutenant Price together with the Boats armed with carronades under the command of Lieutenant Bernard. Together they took the town, disarmed the militia and took the French prisoners. A French surgeon who took a shot at the British out of his window was himself shot dead. He was the only casualty. He praises all his officers and men who were engaged in the action.

Folio 169: enclosure to folios 158-159. Letter from Rear Admiral Gore, HMS Revenge off Corfu, dated 14 June 1814 to Captain EL Gower. He acknowledges Captain Gower's letter of 25 May 1814 which gave an account of the capture of a French Xebec sailing ship by the boats from HMS Elizabeth. He congratulates all involved, mentioning particularly Lieutenant Roberts and the petty officers and men under his command.