American frigates at the Nile would serve as scouts

Would six American frigates have helped Nelson at the Battle of the Nile?

They could screen and scout, but different signal systems would keep Nelson from integrating them closely into his battle line.

All six American frigates may not have been simultaneously available in 1798. Nelson also could not readily use ships with different signal books as repeaters inside a tightly controlled fleet action. Their speed and independence would make them more useful for screening and scouting. The ships could help the fleet without joining its battle line.