Folios 435-436: Thomas Cochrane, Portman Square. Having sent a Proctor's Bill 30...

Folios 435-436: Thomas Cochrane, Portman Square. Having sent a Proctor's Bill 30 feet long with a memorial asking for relief from the bill, he asks for a decision.

Folios 436A-436B: enclosure with folios 435-436. Dated 28 April 1809. Lord Cochrane's memorial on the subject of sixpences incurred in the detention of the private ship of war King George, by HMS Imperieuese, has been referred to Sir William Scott, who referred it to the Law Offiers of the Crown for their opinion which Mr Birkdale requested but which has not yet been received.

Folios 436C-436J: enclosure with folios 435-436. Memorial dated 28 April 1809 from Thomas Lord Cochrane, HMS Imperieuse. A memorial detailing the circumstances around capturing the King George, a private ship of war of Malta, near to the coast of Corsica, on 14 November 1807 and the resultant decision by the Vice Admiralty Court in Malta that damages for the loss of the vessel and the property of its crew should be met by Lord Cochrane. A vessel had been sighted near the coast, and boats were sent to investigate lead by Lieutenant E. Caulfield and the Honourable William John Napier, Master's Mate. When the boats approached the vessel, they were fired on, despite seeing a Union Jack on board and John Spurling shouting that they were English. The crews of the boats boarded the vessel and the crew, who were foreigners many of whom were enemy citizens, resisted. One man died and several injured. As the vessel was sailing in violation of navigation laws, he presented the case to the Vice Admiralty Court of Malta to prevent vessels abusing the privileges of the British flag. Judge John Sewell condemned the vessel as a lawful prize. The Letters of Marque falsely described Michelle Cristinella of Valetta as the owner. The crew of the vessel claimed damages of over $600 for loss of clothes which were worn out, vermin infested, of no value and had been thrown overboard by the Prize Master. He had also paid over $900 to wounded men in hospital. He appeals against the decison which has cost him a considerable sum in doing his duty. He asks for action to prevent the continuation of the piracy and abuse of Letters of Marque by vessels out of Malta which is inhabited by refugees from many countires some of which are enemies of Great Britain. He also asks for regulation of the Vice Admiralty Courts to prevent abuses which are to the injury of the navy and the benefit of the ememy.