Folios 195-196: John Clements, Regulating Captain, Dartmouth. Sends report from Lieutenant...

Folios 195-196: John Clements, Regulating Captain, Dartmouth. Sends report from Lieutenant Collins employed in the Sea Fencibles service at Ridgeway near Plymton. He and the Marines at Crabtree have caught a number of stragglers and deserters passing with forged leave papers. Difficulties apprehending men at the Crabtree Turnpike gates. Marines in the vicinity of his residence are not under his orders. Asks Lieutenant Collins is given assistance and his expenses reimbursed.

Folios 197-198: enclosed in folios 195-196. Letter dated 26 June 1807 by Lieutenant John Collins, Plymton to Captain John Winne, Sea Fencibles, Plymouth. A great many desertions, Valuable seamen lost. With little prospect of them being apprehended, others are emboldened when their chances are less favorable. Admiral Young wrote to him about thirteen deserters from HMS Prince of Wales, none of which were caught. Crabtree and Ridgeway, both on the Exeter to London road where everyone must pass. Caught two deserters with a piece of paper signed by Captain Richard Dacres, HMS Pompee which was dated a day forward. He showed it to the Sergeant at Crabtree who for want of judgment let him go. Another with a Navy Office seal had Captain Pipon, HMS Rose with bad spelling. He offered two guineas to anyone who’d lend him a horse to go after one who ran from the Corporal. He was six foot and had a head start. Says the people would rather assist deserters. Would be advantageous to have a Corporal stationed at Ivybridge six miles on the London Road. Requests expenses for postage and stationary. Says the three pounds taken from a deserter’s pay that would mitigate toward the expense.