Folios 338-339: William Charleton, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Reports on...

Folios 338-339: William Charleton, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Reports on the case of Michael Johnson, impressed at South Shields on 27 September 1805 while serving onboard, and with a regular Affidavit, as Mate of the Dorothy and Ann, on the grounds of being a suspected deserter from the Royal Navy and whose discharge has been applied for by William Metcalfe in the enclosed letter. States that he believe the facts prior to his impressment are correctly stated in William Metcalfe's letter but during his own examination of Michael Johnson, he was given a different story. Says there are many contradictions but 2 points are consistent, the swimming from HMS Powerful and having given him an Affidavit as Mate though he is proven to be an Apprentice.. Says he cannot give an opinion on what constitutes desertion nor does he know whether the Chief Justice's decree regarding Mates extends to persons protected under the provisions of the 13th Geo 2 Chap 17.

Folios 340-341: enclosure with folios 338-339. Letter dated 25 September 1805 from William Metcalfe, North Shields to the Admiralty. Requests the discharge of Michael Johnson, 3 years indentured apprentice, impressed on board HMS Powerful from his ship the Isabella & Dorothy at the beginning of September. Says while an application was being made to a Mr Ferguson in London for clearance, Johnson swam from HMS Powerful and made his way to Shields when he was again impressed and is now on board a tender in the harbour. Says that as Johnson has not served his 3 years as an apprentice and has never been to sea before he is not liable to be impressed