¹ Jones, Raymond A., The British Diplomatic Service, 1815–1916 (Gerrards Cross, 1983), p. 121.Google Scholar

² It was necessary to number the dispatches to ensure that no individual one was lost and unnoticed if it never reached London. Envoys were required to sent annual statistics of all despatches which had left the mission to London.

Cf. FO 8/22: Edward Cromwell Disbrowe to Earl of Aberdeen, Separate, Stuttgart, I January 1829:

‘In obedience to the Circular Instructions dated Foreign Office May 6 1825 I have the honor to inform Your Lordship that in the year 1828 it appears that Lord Erskine addressed to the Foreign Office 11 Dispatches (up to the 8th February) two which bear the No 7 by mistake, one gives the number of Dispatches for the year 1827 and one forwards the Extraordinary Expences of this Mission.- Total 11. Dispatches and one letter to Mr Backhouse.

Mr Hall during the period he was Chargé d'Affaires addressed 15 numbered Dispatches and 4 Separates to the office.- Total 19.

And from the period of my arrival until the 31st December inclusive, I had the honor of addressing 18th numbered Dispatches, and one Separate.'