Folios 419-420: Thomas Rogers, HMS Kent, Gibraltar Bay. Encloses the copy of an order...

Folios 419-420: Thomas Rogers, HMS Kent, Gibraltar Bay. Encloses the copy of an order he has given, as Senior Officer there, for the good of HM Service and the mercantile interest, to Captain Bower of HMS Camilla to proceed with the convoy bound up the Mediterranean which arrived at Gibraltar under the protection of HMS Phoebe and HMS Camilla. he would not have done this had there been any prospect of any other ship available for this service. HM ships currently at Gibraltar are HMS Kent, refitting and under orders for Cadiz, HMS Gannet to proceed to Valencia and Tarragona with the ordnance transports, and HMS Phoebe, under sealed orders. Encloses a copy of the strong representations made to him by the trade for convoy, and hopes they will approve of his decision to order HMS Camilla to that service after which she is to return to Spithead.

Folio 421: enclosure with folios 419-420. Copy of letter dated 31 December 1808 from 16 named Masters of named ships and one unnamed American ship with British cargo, Gibraltar. They are Masters of ships bound to Malta and other parts to the eastward, and are at great expense waiting for a convoy. Many of the ships have valuable but perishable cargoes. Asks for a vessel to be appointed to protect the assembled trade.

Folio 422: enclosure with folios 419-420. Copy of letter dated 1 January 1809 from Thomas Rogers, Captain of HMS Kent and Senior Officer at Gibraltar, given on board HMS Lent, Gibraltar Bay, to John Bowen, Captain of HMS Camilla. Having received directions to provide a convoy for the trade bound up the Mediterranean and having received a petition from the Masters of the ships arrived from England under convoy of HMS Phoebe, directs him to take all vessels bound to Malta or any other part of the Mediterranean under his protection and put to sea as soon as possible, Having seen the ships bound to Malta safely into Valletta harbour he is to victual, water and proceed according to the orders received from Captain Stackpool of HMS Phoebe.