Folios 160-161: William Charleton, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Reports that...

Folios 160-161: William Charleton, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Reports that Robert Wellburn and Archibald Randle, Mate and Carpenter of the Howard of Scarborough, were impressed at Shields by Lieutenant John Mitchell on October 8, 1803. Captain Charleton detained the two men because the ship's articles they had signed did not state their wages, as the Act of Parliament requires.

Folio 162: enclosed with folios 160-161. Affidavit sworn by John Butler, Master of the Howard of Scarborough, before H Reynett at Whitechapel on 25 November 1803. Testifies that Robert Willborn signed on as Mate at Scarborough on 5 May, voyaged with him to the Baltic, and continued aboard until 9 November when he was impressed by Lieutenant Nathaniel France of the tender HMS Eliza despite the fact that he had an affidavit from Mr Butler sworn before Robert Woodall at Scarborough. Later that day Lieutenant France impressed Archibald Randall, Carpenter of the same ship, although he too had an affidavit from Mr Butler sworn before A Smith at Shields.

Folios 163-164: enclosed with folios 160-161. Letter from Francis Engleheart to the Admiralty, dated 28 November 1803. John Butler, Master of the Howard of Scarborough, reports that Robert Willborn and Archibald Randall, Mate and Carpenter of the ship, were impressed at Shields on November 9. Encloses Mr Butler's affidavits concerning these men, asks for their discharge. PS The two men are now aboard HMS Ceres at Sheerness or the Nore.