[HALLOWELL CAREW BENJAMIN]: (1761-1834) British Admiral, one of the select group of officers known ...

[HALLOWELL CAREW BENJAMIN]: (1761-1834) British Admiral, one of the select group of officers known as the 'Band of Brothers' who served with Horatio Nelson at the Battle of the Nile. A fine series of five Ls.S. and two A.Ls.S. by Viscount Keith (1746-1823, British Admiral who served in the Napoleonic Wars; four Ls.S. Keith), John Wilson Croker (1780-1857, Irish Statesman & Author, Secretary to the Admiralty 1809-30; two A.Ls.S. J W Croker) and Henry Hotham (1777-1833, English Vice Admiral who served in the French Revolutionary & Napoleonic Wars; one L.S., Henry Hotham), thirteen pages (total), folio, London, Admiralty office, 9th - 29th May 1815, all to Rear Admiral Sir Benjamin Hallowell and each marked 'Secret'. The letters relay various orders to Hallowell and state, in part, '….you will observe what are the intentions of His Majesty's Government respecting the employment of the Vessels named on the margin [HMS Astraea, HMS Cerberus etc.] which have been put under my command. You will of course attend to that service as much as may be required; and you are at liberty to employ any other vessel under my orders for the same purpose…..furnishing me with the result of any information which you may obtain. If a small vessel is wanted for the Coast of France near Isle Dieu, the Telegraph is at Plymouth and her Commander Captain Scriven is perfectly acquainted with that part of the Coast. I am very doubtful whether the small Brigs in which the arms are contained will be able to hold their own off Isle Dieu, and the anchorage near it is not good. I am sorry to observe that the sailing of vessels containing arms has crept into the newspapers. This should be guarded against as much as possible. You will be pleased to ascertain as far as you are able, and report to me, the number of French Pilots at Plymouth, with their qualifications' (Viscount Keith, 9th May 1815), 'I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Adm[iralt]y to signify to you their directions to send orders to Capt. Kittoe of HMS Astrea on his rendezvous five leagues west of Isle Dieu, to return to Plymouth with the King's ships….' (John Wilson Croker, 18th May 1815), 'I am commanded…..to acquaint you that their Lordships have this day received dispatches from Captain Kittoe…..stating that a considerable rising in favour of the King of France has taken place in Britanny (sic) and that therefore instead of recalling the squadron (as directed in my letter of the 18th Inst) it is expedient to reinforce it…. for the purpose of…..protecting His Majesty's squadron from any sudden attack from French ships of war……I enclose you an order (no longer present) to Sir Henry Hotham to detain all French national vessels…..it is desirable that this order should not be made public & he will therefore charge the Captains & Commanders to whom he may communicate it not to divulge it……Transports with a further supply of arms & ammunition will be sent out for Sir Henry's disposal….' (John Wilson Croker, 22nd May 1815), 'Circumstances have since occurred that have induced their Lordships to send out Rear Admiral Sir Henry Hotham, and I transmit…..a copy of a secret order authorizing the detention of French National armed ships and vessels…..Their Lordships attach great importance to these measures being kept as secret as possible' (Viscount Keith, 23rd May 1815), together with the secret General Order referred to, in the form of a L.S. by Keith, 'The respective Captains and Commanders of His Majesty's Ships……are hereby required and directed to detain all French National armed ships…..and to send them into Port, thereto remain until the further pleasure of His Royal Highness The Prince Regent shall be made known. As it is desirable that this order should not be made public, the officers abovementioned are strictly enjoined not to divulge it; and they are most particularly to observe that it does not extend to the detention of Private Ships' (also 23rd May 1815), 'You will be pleased to furnish the Captain……with a copy of the enclosed instruction (no longer present) and direct him to communicate the same to the Squadron off Brest and to Sir Henry Hotham….' (Viscount Keith, 25th May 1815), 'The Nimble (Cutter) has brought me your letter of the 25th enclosing one from Admiral Lord Keith, and the Helicon has joined me also this day, with the three Transports…..I shall detain the Nimble a day or two to convey any Dispatches I may have occasion to transmit to England….' (Henry Hotham, 29th May 1815). An interesting series of letters dating from the final months of the Napoleonic Wars. Some with blank integral leaves. Some light age wear, VG, 7