Folios 322-323: William Charleton, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Reports on...

Folios 322-323: William Charleton, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Reports on the case of Robert Brown, Apprentice, whose discharge has been applied for in enclosed letter. Advises that Robert Brown entered the Rendezvous at Shields on 1 September 1805 and an application for his release was made in person by an Agent of Messrs Cookson Cuthbert & Co with Brown's Indenture. Reports that the Agent, having read the report by Lieutenant James Dathan on the behaviour of John Brown, then relinquished all rights to him with the assurance that Robert Brown would never be claimed although he [Charleton] does not know if the act of the Agent is binding.

Folios 324-325: enclosure with folios 322-323. Letter dated 7 September 1805, from Cookson Cuthbert & Co, South Shields to William Charleton, Tynemouth. Explains that the boy Robert Brown is an Apprentice to their bottlehouses and requests his release. States that Robert Brown's conduct has been so bad at times that they do not expect to ever receive much benefit from him but they think it necessary, as an example to other men , not to allow him to force himself out of their service. Notes that the bearer of the letter is a Constable who will have a warrant to detain him after his release so he may be dealt with according to the law.

Folio 326: enclosure with folios 322-323. Letter dated 11 September 1805, from William Blackburn, South Shields to [William Charleton]. States that Robert Brown is an indentured Apprentice to his clients Isaac Cookson & Co for the glass trade for a 5 year period from 30 March 1803. Presumes an Affidavit to these facts will be sufficient to secure Brown's release.

Folio 327: enclosure with folios 322-324. Letter dated 16 September 1805, from William Blackburn, South Shields to the Admiralty. Encloses the Affidavit of William Cuthbert and the indenture of Robert Brown and hopes that the Admiralty will order the discharge of Robert Brown.

Folio 328: enclosure with folio 327. Affidavit dated 14 September 1805, of William Cuthbert of Newcastle upon Tyne , sworn before Richard Wallis, Justice of the Peace, South Shields. States that Robert Brown is bound as an apprentice to himself and Isaac Cookson and other copartners in trade for 5 years, by indenture , from 30 March 1803 in the trade of glass bottle making. States that Robert Brown deserted from their business without permission on 31 August 1805 and entered the Navy. Advises that he has applied for Brown's discharge to William Charleton, Regulating Officer at South Shields who has advised that he does not have the authority to do so without the approval of the Admiralty.