Folios 185-186: William Ricketts, HMS El Corso off Trieste. Enclosing a copy of his...

Folios 185-186: William Ricketts, HMS El Corso off Trieste. Enclosing a copy of his letter dated 23 January 1801 to Lord Keith with his assessment of the defences of Venice.

Folios 187-188: enclosure with folios 185-186. Letter dated 23 January 1801 from William Ricketts, HMS Elcorso, Trieste to Lord Keith. He had planned to sail to Malta with HMS Pigmy but at Ancona he received letters from the General Commander of Marine concerning the safety of Venice and its arsenal. He intends to sail to Venice and help in the fighting and manning their gunboats with the possibility of suffering heavy loss.

Folios 189-190: enclosure with folios 185-186. Letter dated 7 February 1801 from William Ricketts, HMS El Corso. Enclosing letter of 23 January 1801 (folios 187-188) and that in fulfilling his intention, HMS El Corso and Pygmy arrived in Venice on 28 January 1801 but he has now left Venice but the French are still menacing. He wants the Admiralty to know the full situation regarding the defence of Venice detailed in the accompanying letters. These include letters from Mr Querrine, the President of the arsenal at Venice and a Venetian and reluctant to ask for the service of the British cutter and brig, letters from General Montfrault, Commandante of Venice and Melas ,

Folios 191-192: enclosure with folios 185-186. Letter dated 4 February 1801 from Mr Querrine, the President of the arsenal at Venice. In Italian - Al regio officiale comandante della Felluca Inglese denominata S. Maista Britannia, etc.

Folios 193-194: enclosure with folios 185-186. Letter dated 4 February 1801 from Lieutenant General Montfrault, Commandante of Venice to William Ricketts, commanding HM ships in the Adriatic. Thanking him for his support.

Folios 195-196: enclosure with folios 185-186. Letter dated 2 February 1801 from William Ricketts, HMS El Corso, Venice to His Excellency Sig Querrine, Commandante General of Marines & President of the arsenal at Venice. He is following up his letter of 24 January 1801 offering his services. he requests a speedy answer as on the event of his services not being required he will lose not time in sailing.

Folios 197-198: enclosure with folios 185-186. Letter dated 2 February 1801 from William Ricketts, HMS El Corso to His Excellency General Montfrault, Lieutenant General & Commander of Venice. It is his duty to tell him that he dare not be inactive and idle in port while the trade of His Majesty and allies are threatened at sea. If his excellency agrees with the General Commandant of Marines that British help is not needed in Venice, he will proceed to Trieste.

Folios 199-200: enclosure with folios 185-186. Letter dated 28 January 1801 from Montfrault, Lieutenant General & Commandant of Venice to William Ricketts, Commanding His Majesty's ships in the Adriatic. He intends to use his utmost to defend Venice with his marines but he sets all his hopes on the ships and begs his to come and help.

Folios 201-202: enclosure with folios 185-186. Letter dated 13 August 1800 from Melas, Du Quvont gen d'Verone. A M le commandant des Bastimento de A M B in the Adriatic Sea.

Folios 203-204: enclosure with folios 185-186. Letter dated 31 January 1801 from William Ricketts, HMS El Corso, Venice. Public Notice. Concerning the fraudulent practices of purchasing supplies of flour, tobacco, salt etc by agents employed by the enemy. He considers his duty to annihilate such practices. He also notes that numerous vessels belonging to Ancona are busily fraudulently procuring papers and passports from the Public Office of Venice and Trieste and will not be entitled to the respect which the British are anxious to pay to lawful documents.