Folios 154-155: William Charleton, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Reports that...

Folios 154-155: William Charleton, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Reports that John Squares, Mate of the ship Peggy, was impressed on land on the road between Newcastle and Shields on 27 October 1803, as there was no evidence that he was employed on the ship's business at the time.

Folios 156-157: enclosed with folios 154-155. Letter from Thomas Ferguson, 3 George Yard, Lombard Street, London, to the Admiralty dated 23 November 1803. Encloses an affidavit from J A Smith, Master of the brig Peggy, concerning the impressment of his mate John Squires, who is now on board HMS Zealand at the Nore. It was necessary for Squires to go ashore to inform the captain of the state of his vessel. Asks for Squires' discharge.

Folios 158-159: enclosed with folios 156-157. Affidavit sworn by John Ash Smith, commander of the brig Peggy, before Alderman George Clark, London, on 23 November 1803. John Squires, aged 22, has been Mate of the Peggy for the past 12 months. On 16 October the vessel was driven ashore at Benton Staith in the Port of Shields, and as there were no other vessels nearby to signal for assistance, and there was only Squires and a boy from Switzerland who spoke no English aboard, Squires was obliged to leave the vessel and go ashore to inform Mr Smith, who was confined to his house Shields by illness. He was impressed while he was on the road to Shields and is now aboard HMS Zealand at the Nore. Asks for his discharge.