Folios 260-262: Edward Grey, Regulating Captain, Hull. Receipt of letter with the...

Folios 260-262: Edward Grey, Regulating Captain, Hull. Receipt of letter with the petition from H Mitchinson, late Master of the Samuels. He has caused him to be discharged. He was impressed on information that he had been Master of the Samuels and was wrecked on his homeward passage. Since his arrival at home he has been in London hoping to get a situation as Master of a Transport without success. He had no Protection. He doubts the part of his Petition in which he says he had the prospect of the command of a ship in a few days as neither Mitchinson himself nor Mr Barnby his late owner mentioned it. He had ben promised a situation suitable to his qualifications. When he was taken both he and his late owner wished to get a substitute which it but he told him it was not in his power to grant this. If out of work Masters were exempt from the impress it would set a dangerous precedent. Discusses the damaging practices used to avoid the impress of declaring supercargoes, and also of issuing new indentures for 3 years as soon as apprentices reach 18.

Folios 262-263: enclosure with folios 260-262. Petition dated 20 February 1808 of William Henry Mitchinson, late Master of the Samuels, formerly of Hull and lately lost in a voyage from Hernosand to Hull. Last September [1807] he sailed from Hull to Hernosand and loaded a cargo of deals, sailing from there on 16 October [1807]. On the night of 23 November [1807] to ship was driven on Trom Island and wrecked. The next morning he and his crew of 12 were made prisoners by Danish Islanders and sent under guard to Aundahl . From there they were sent on 13 December [1807] in a boat guarded by 8 armed Danish seamen to Conksberg. When they were off the island of Jummfroe [sp?] he and his men overcame the Danes and took command of the boat and arrived at Stromstadt on 16 December [1808] where he delivered the Danish prisoners to the Swedes and took passage on board the Lord Duncan packet from Gothenburg and arrived at Hull on 14 January [1808]. Since his arrival been offered the command of a transport ship but as he has a family of 4 small children he wished to obtain the command of a vessel employed in trade to and from Hull which he had the prospect of procuring in a very few days. Yesterday he was impressed by officers under the command of Captain Grey which he believes was the result of a malicious information. Presents the hardship it would be for a Master for 12 years to be reduced to a common Seaman, especially considering that he has lost all his clothes and papers in a shipwreck . Petition signed by 35 people who are owners and Masters at Kingston upon Hull and attest to the character of the petitioner and ask for clemency for him.

Folio 264: enclosure with folios 262-263. Letter dated 22 February 1808 from J Stanisforth to John Barrow. He thinks their Lordships will have no objection to granting the request of the enclosed Petition.