Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth (1757 - 1833). Sailing Orders to Captain Sir William Hoste, dated 1812. Letter signed, folio, two pages with integral and rear blank, written in secretarial hand and signed by Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean, Edward Pellew and Secretary Philip Carteret le Gate. With printed inscription to the top-right hand side 'By Sir Edward Pellew, Bart. Vice Admiral of the Red, and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels in the Mediterranean.

The letter reads 'Sailing Orders. You are hereby required and directed to proceed on His Majesty's ship Bacchante under your command to Mahón and delivering the accompanying Dispatcheals to Rear Admiral Pickmore, follow his orders for your further ??? Given under my hand on board the Caledonia off London, 6 July 1812, by Command of the Commander in Chief for William Hoste Esq, Captain of HM Ship Bacchante'

Admiral Edward Pellew, 1st Viscount Exmouth, GCB. British naval officer who fought during the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary Wars, and the Napoleonic Wars.
Captain Sir William Hoste, 1st Baronet KCB. Royal Navy officer, perhaps best known as one of Lord Nelson's protégés, Hoste was one of the great frigate captains of the Napoleonic Wars, taking part in six major engagements, including the capture of the heavily fortified port of Kotor during the Adriatic campaign of 1807–1814.