Folios 250-251: William Taylor, HMS La Prompte, in Leith Roads. Informing their Lordships...

Folios 250-251: William Taylor, HMS La Prompte, in Leith Roads. Informing their Lordships of his having sailed as per orders, from the Nore on 1st June, with the sloop Drake and 3 sail of convoy, which grew to 13 before he left Aldborough. Arrived at Cattegat on 11 June and on 12th met a large fleet of 60-70 merchantmen, mostly Dutch or English, which had sailed the previous day from Elsinore. 16 of them took convoy with him and most stayed until the Dogger Bank. On the 20th he parted company with 13 off the Humber, and came on to Leith Roads with the Drake, to see if there were further trade that might need convoying. On 22nd, at the opening of the firth, he met Captain Bowyer, of HMS Amphitrite, with 21 transports carrying 3,000 troops and only one small armed vessel - so thought his duty was to strengthen their force, together with the Drake, Captain Brooking. Was informed by Captain Bowyer that Captain Mulock, of the Cormorant, and several transports, were nearly ready to proceed to Fort George for 7,000 troops to take them to Portsmouth. Again thought he should strengthen the convoy and thus anchored yesterday in Leith Roads, where he found the Cormorant, the Diamond, Lt Forbes, and the Ceres, Lt Silver, with 19 transports. Since then Lt Gordon has informed him the number of troops at Fort George will be around 3,000 and has expressed great satisfaction at the convoy's having the company of Captain Taylor and the other ships. Expects to proceed to Fort George on Sunday, and thence through the downs to Portsmouth. Should their Lordships disapprove or have further orders, he asks they should write to Leith in case of delay, and to Fort George if they have sailed. Encloses a report of the La Prompte's condition.

Folio 252: enclosure with folios 250-251. State of the La Prompte, at 25 June 1794. A full complement of 165, and the ship fit for sea.

Folio 253: enclosure with folios 250-251. Admiralty note of 20 June 1794, says to advise Captain Taylor of their Lordships' disapproval of his actions in proceeding to Leith after the Humber, instead of the Nore, as per his orders.