Folios 224-225: Richard John Strachan, HMS Melampus, St Marcou. Since my last letters...

Folios 224-225: Richard John Strachan, HMS Melampus, St Marcou. Since my last letters he has been cruising from Cherbourg to [Le] Havre where the enemy is reported to be fitting vessels. HMS Syren is still off [Le] Havre. As soon as the spring tide is over he will go to Jersey. Yesterday he received a letter of 30 July [1796] from Captain D'Auvergne reporting the naval force at St Malo is the same as when he was there. HMS Camilla is at Jersey but stopped on her way there at Torbay for a supply of water. Captain Dacres informs him by letter of 31 [July 1796] that he is going to cruise of St Malo. He has just received via HMS Telemachus which convoyed the Bilbao store ship there their letters of 26 and 29 July [1796].He was about to detach HMS Dutchess pf York tender with the prisoner John Grant, Midshipman of HMS Sandfly, Mr Bourne and the evidences except Lieutenant Price. As a result of their letters he will stop until further orders. Encloses a list of the evidence as required by Mr Bourne and the prisoner. He has just arrived from [le] Havre and encloses and account of his observations.

Folio 226: enclosure with folios 224-225. List of evidence dated 5 August 2796 for the trial of John Grant submitted by Richard John Strachan, HMS Melampus.. Lieutenant Bourne of the East Island and HMS Sandfly, Lieutenant Price, Commander of HMS Badger and commanding on the West Islands, William Dixon, Master of HMS Sandfly, [unnamed] masters of HMS Force and HMS Conquest now at Portsmouth, Mr Wooley of the Fly tender, Mr Thompson late mate of the Fly tender said to have been sent as Pilot when off Guernsey to a merchant ship and pressed in the Downs, now on board HMS Savage. The Clerk of the Victualling Office at Portsmouth. John Grant said he had ne evidences in his defence apart from the Mate of the Fly who is not on board at present.

Folios 227-228: enclosure with folios 224-225. Memorandum dated 5 August 1796 from Richard John Strachan, HMS Melampus, of information obtained between 25 July and 3 August [1796]. Warns that accounts from Americans and other neutrals are contradictory and cannot be relied upon. Gives details of vessels. Mentions a privateer named La Belle Angelique. Mentions Honfleur and [Le] Havre.