The Keith Papers

4. Admiralty to all Commanders-in-Chief

The Rt. Hon. Lord Hobart, one of H.M. Principal Secretaries of State, having in his letter of this date acquainted us that the discussions which had lately taken place between this country and France had taken an unfavourable turn, and that Lord Whitworth, H.M. Ambassador, had left Paris without taking leave, and signified to us at the same time H.M. pleasure that directions should be given for detaining all ships and vessels belonging to France and the citizens of the Republic; you are in pursuance of H.M. pleasure hereby required and directed on falling in with any French ships or vessels to detain them and bring them into port, there to remain until H.M. further pleasure be signified respecting them.

In case of the detention of any French ships or vessels in consequence of these instructions, you are to give the most positive directions to the officers to whom the charge of such vessels may be entrusted to take all possible care that no embezzlement of any
kind whatsoever do take place, as they will answer the contrary at their peril.

Given 15 May, 1803.

T. TROUBRIDGE, J. MARKHAM, W. GARTHSHORE.