Folios 303-304: James Caulfield, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Reporting on...

Folios 303-304: James Caulfield, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Reporting on George Burton, rated AB, who was impressed on 22 February by Lieut. Wood. He believed Burton was not a ship owner, but had been a Master, and Caulfeild says he 'felt for his situation' and suggested he find a friend to solicit their Lordships on his behalf. However, he notes that the Revd Mr Hayter, whose letter is enclosed, is incorrect when he says Caulfield treated Burton's documents with neglect - indeed he says humanity has always led him to pay great attention to all such things but in this case no documents were actually produced. Adds that Burton has been 'shown every indulgence' and not compelled to mix with the other impressed men.

Folios 305-308: enclosure with folios 303-304. Cover and enclosed letter from the Revd John Hayton, dated 26 February 1814, at Sunderland. The letter asserts that George Burton and the Revd were joint owners of the Cepheus, a small collier of which Burton was Master. When he was about to get married and had a chance to sail in a much larger vessel, Burton left the Cepheus - but was shortly afterwards impressed. Revd Hayter claims he was in possession of all his documents, which were handed to Captain Caulfeild but were treated with neglect. Says Burton is now pent up in the Guard Ship with 26 other impressed men whose 'habits of life are very different from his own'. Says that there is no precedent for a Master and part owner being impressed, and even Masters who are not owners are normally allowed 3 or 4 weeks to change from one ship to another.