Folios 201-202: John Tancock, HMS Mercury, Spithead. Reporting that following the...

Folios 201-202: John Tancock, HMS Mercury, Spithead. Reporting that following the enclosed orders, he received on board 199 French prisoners and sailed on 31 October in the company of HMS Doterel and a 27 sail convoy. On 13 November 1810 he parted company with HMS Doterel and part of the convoy and arrived this day at Spithead with six of the convoy. Encloses a report on the ship's defects and a sick return. Reports that there is a long list of sick onboard which the surgeon attributes to the filthy and debilitated state of the French prisoners, seven of whom died on board as well as boisterous weather and the 'scanty Ship's company'.

Folios 203-204: enclosure with folios 201-202. Orders dated 26 October 1810 by Sir George Cranfileld Berkeley, Admiral, HMS Barfleur in the Tagus to John Tancock, HMS Mercury. Copy of Orders to receive on board 100 French prisoners and to place himself under the command of Anthony Abdy, Captain, HMS Doterel and to keep a watchful eye on the prisoners and attending as much as possible to the Transport ships: the Elisha Tupper, the Oakhall, the Nestor, the Nelly, the Calista and the Rodney, all of whom have prisoners on board. Directs Tanccock to victual the prisoners and receive on board as many as he can properly take.

Folio 205: enclosure with folios 201-202. Defects report on HMS Mercury, John Tancock Captain at Spithead, 16 November 1810. Prepared by John Tancock and Jeremiah Crawley, Carpenter.

Folio 206: enclosure with folios 201-202. Return of sick and wounded on board HMS Mercury on passage from Lisbon, 16 November 1810, signed by John Gamble, Acting Assistant Surgeon and William Boyce, Surgeon.