Folios 43-50. Letter dated at Dublin Castle from Lord Harcourt to Lord Rochford enclosing...

Folios 43-50. Letter dated at Dublin Castle from Lord Harcourt to Lord Rochford enclosing two letters from Colonel Straton, aide-de-camp to Lord Blayney, and a letter from Lieutenant Tonken, Agent to the Transports. Enclosing: Folios 45-46: Letter dated at Cork from Thomas Tonken to Harcourt expressing his concern that, although he is sure he can take the ship he is on up the St Lawrence River 'at this season', he does not know where to anchor the other ships. He suggests hiring at 5 shillings a day a Mr McClay, who has been up the river five times and says there are anchorages on the south side of Anticosti Island 'which will be a very pleasing thing in blowing weather'. As he does not have the authority and time is short Tonken submits the suggestion to Harcourt for consideration. Folios 47-48: Letter dated at Cork from John Straton to Sir John Blaquiere reporting the departure of 17th and 55th Foot last Tuesday [26 September] and the 27th this morning. All but two of the transports for the 28th and 46th have arrived and the two regiments will be embarked without delay. Lord Blayney will give the commanding officers of those regiments the orders contained in Rochford's letter to Harcourt. Folios 49-50: Letter dated at Cork from John Straton to Sir John Blaquiere enclosing Tonken's letter [folios 45-46]. Lord Blayney suggests that hiring McClay would be for the good of the service and that if Harcourt agrees an express would probably arrive from Dublin before the transports sail.