Folios 298-299: William Charleton, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Reports on...

Folios 298-299: William Charleton, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Reports on the cases of Robert Clifton and James Custance, impressed at South Shields on 30 August 1805, and whose discharges have been sought by J Ferguson in enclosed letters. States that it is a necessity for the Master's name to be inserted on the ship's register prior to him being able to legally perform any of the duties of a Master of a ship. Advises that both men admit this was an omission in their case, and, as a consequence he considers Clifton not to be the legal master and unable to legally appoint Custance as Mate. Also states that, on further examination, he has discovered that a person named Samuel Barker was the Master and Robert Clifton was the Mate and was standing in for Barker who was unwell. Presumes that Samuel Barker was meaning to join his vessel again as soon as able and has given the men to the Navy rather than pay the fees at the Custom House which arise from the change of Master.

Folios 300-301: enclosure with folios 298-299. Letter dated 5 September 1805 , from Thomas Ferguson, 3 George Yard, Lombard Street, London to the Admiralty. Encloses a letter for William Danby Palmer of Yarmouth, stating Robert Clifton, Master, and James Custance, Mate, of the brig Hope have been impressed and detained on HMS Eliza at Shields. States there is no reason assigned for the impressment of the Mate but that the Master was impressed because his name was not endorsed on the back of the document. Explains that this is because the ship was constantly employed in the coal trade and had no occasion to produce the register. Asks for the men to be discharged.

Folios 302-303: enclosure with folios 300-301. Letter dated 4 September 1805, to Thomas Ferguson, 3 George Yard, Lombard Street, London. Explains the circumstances of the impressment of Robert Clifton, Master, and James Custance, Mate, and who are now on board HMS Eliza at Shields, on the grounds that Robert Clifton's name was not endorsed upon the Register. State that Clifton has now been Master of the vessel for nearly for 2 years and is the son in law of Samuel Barker, the owner of the vessel.