Folio 335: Samuel Colquitt, HMS Princess, Liverpool. Replies to a letter enclosing...

Folio 335: Samuel Colquitt, HMS Princess, Liverpool. Replies to a letter enclosing an application and affidavit for the discharge of Sam, a Black man impressed at Liverpool. From personal statements of those who have addressed Mr Dent he appears to be as claimed and is quite unfit for the service.

Folios 336-337: enclosure with folio 335. Letter dated 14 February 1806 from John Dent, MP, Hertford Street, Mayfair, to Mr Marsden. Asks him to look at the enclosures as requested by Mr Hinds, who is a reputable merchant of Liverpool. General Gascoyne is at present on duty in his district in South Wales.

Folios 338-339: enclosure with folios 336-337. Letter dated 1 February 1806 from Samuel Hinds to John Dent MP, London. Thanks him for his attention to the case of Robert Dickens who immediately received his discharge from HMS Desiree. He must trouble him again on behalf of an unfortunate Black man who has been impressed and is on board HMS Princess guard ship, Captain Colquitt on station. He hopes the enclosed affidavit and certificate accompanied by an application from him [Mr Dent] to Mr Marsden will be sufficient to obtain his discharge. He has a vessel on the point of sailing for Africa and he intends to give him passage in her. He hopes he is recovering from his recent accident.

Folios 340-341: enclosure with folios 336-337. Affidavit dated 15 January 1806 by Robert Jackson, sworn in front of Peter W Brancker, Justice of the Peace, Liverpool. Robert Jackson swore that he was First Mate of the Three Williams, Master John Smith, on her voyage from Liverpool to the coast of Angola in Africa for the purposes of commencing their trade for Negroes. They were persuaded by the entreaty of the Mangova, or Head Man of the place, to stay there a while to pay half the customs and begin their trade. Provided the cargo was purchased there the other half of the customs was to be paid. After being there a while the Mater thought it was better to go to another place of trade on the same coast to finish his purchase. At the time he had on board 4 natives of the place, all free men, to assist in the business of the ship. When he decided to leave he ordered the 4 young men to be put in irons and sent his boat on shore to collect the goods he had there. After he returned he ordered one of his Officers to put 3 of the 4 boys on shore, leaving the fourth one named Sam on board. He is the sone of one of the principal men there called George Mangova, a free man whose son is entitled to the same privileges. Despite entreaties, the Master persisted in bringing Sam and the other Negroes he had purchased to Kingston in Jamaica and there exposed him with the cargo for sale. Since Sam spoke English and had been in Liverpool some time before, no-one would buy him. The Master placed him in the House of Coercion for 3 months when he was purchased by Solomon Flash, who put him on board a ship he was sending to Liverpool by the convoy which arrived last October. When he arrive he immediately applied to the Masters of ships to whom he was known, and whop know his father and his free condition in Africa. They have supported him and Captain Lace had intended to take him out in the Bellona now on the point of sailing for [...] to reunite him with his friends. The confects of the affidavit are certified tp be true as regards the free condition of the person named Sam by Ships' Captains Thomas Kirkby, William lace and James Siddon.