The Keith Papers

29. Secretary of Admiralty to Keith

Admiralty Office,
September 17, 1803.

My Lord, I have received and communicated to their Lordships your letter of yesterday’s date upon the subject of the blockade of Havre de Grace, and in return I have it in command from their Lordships to acquaint you, that being fully apprised of the importance of that station, they have taken care to place a force competent to that service under the command of Rear-Admiral Sir James Saumarez. Although their Lordships consider your station to extend no further to the southward than Beachy Head on the coast of England and Cape de Caux on the coast of France, yet they have commanded me to signify their direction to your Lordship to order your cruisers to render such assistance to those under the command of Sir James Saumarez as the movements of the enemy may at any time render necessary. I have &c.

EVAN NEPEAN.