The papers are part of the Oliver-Bellasis collection placed on permanent loan to the Museum by the late Captain Oliver-Bellasis in 1936. There are three standing order books, one for Plymouth and Spithead, 1798 to 1799, probably when Oliver was Captain of the Nemesis, and two for the Mars, 1804, 1805 to 1806. There are also two letters written by Nelson to Oliver's father-in-law, Sir Charles Saxton (q.v.).

Administrative / biographical background
Oliver entered the Navy in 1779. He served in the West Indies and was promoted to lieutenant in 1790, commander in 1794 and captain in 1796. After the battle of Trafalgar he was appointed to the Mars, whose captain, George Duff, had been killed. He continued to serve until 1814 and was promoted to rear-admiral in 1819, vice-admiral in 1830 and admiral in 1841.