January 4th 1805
To Captain P.S. Mouat, Agent for Transports at Gibraltar.
Victory, at Sea, 4th January 1805
Sir,
I have received your letter of the 22nd ultimo, together with the list of Transports, and of the ten Spanish prisoners of war ordered to be discharged (being non-combatants) by Sir Richard Bickerton.
I am extremely displeased at the circumstance of the men being impressed from the Transports. As mentioned in your letter, and herewith transmit you an order to prevent a similar act from the happening; and in case the Tribune should return to this Country, I enclose your an order for the discharge of the two men named in the margin from that Ship, that they may be sent to her by the first opportunity.
I have also directed the Honourable Captain Boyle to discharge William Mowitt, Second Mate of the Berwick, freighted Transport, that he may join his proper Ship as soon as possible, being perfectly aware of the necessity of these Transport being manned agreeable to their Charterparty, and sufficiently to navigate them. I am, Sir, &c
NELSON AND BRONTE
To the Captains or Commanders of his Majesty’s Ships or Vessels belonging to the Mediterranean Fleet.
Victory, at Sea, 4th January 1805
Where is becomes the duty of every Officer to protect the Navy and Army Victuallers and Transport as much as possible, and to afford them every assistance in their power, when they shall be considered in the want thereof, and on no account to impress their Mates or Seamen, who are required for their navigation, and who they are obliged to have agreeable to their charter-party, You are therefore hereby required and directed, on no account or consideration whatever, to impress either Mates, Seaman or Boys from any of his Majesty’s regular or hired Army or Navy Transport, or Victuallers, unless they shall be found drunk and rioting on shore, in which case I presume it may be proper to impress them for his Majesty’s Ships of War.
NELSON AND BRONTE
N.B This order to remain with Captain Mouat, and to be shown when necessary.
To Captain Richard H.A. Bennett, H.M. Ship Tribune
Victory, at Sea, 4th January 1804
Whereas it has been represented to me that the two men named in the margin, were impressed by the Officers of his Majesty’s Ship Tribune, under your command, from the Active, regular Transport and Navy Victualler, by which means the said Vessel has been left in distress for men to navigate her; and being perfectly aware of the impropriety of such a measure, and how detrimental it is to his Majesty’s Service, You are hereby required and directed to discharge the said two men immediately, and deliver them to Captain Mouat, Agent for Transport at Gibraltar, that they may be sent to the Active Transport by the very first opportunity.
NELSON AND BRONTE
To William Marsden, ESQ, Admiralty
Victory, at Sea, 4th January 1805
Sir,
I herewith transmit you an extract of a letter from Mr. Richard Lewis, Garrison Apothecary at Gibraltar, who it appears to acted as Surgeon of his Majesty’s Naval Hospital at that place, since the death of the late Mr William Burd, and previous to that, as Dispenser, on the death of Mr. Christie, by order of Mr. Burd, as stated in the accompanying certificate from Mr. Pownall, Naval Storekeeper, which I request you will be pleased to lay before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, for their information, and move their Lordships to comply with Mr Lewis’s request, as I think him very justly and fully entitled to the remuneration he requires.
I am, &c
NELSON AND BRONTE
