Folios 285-287: Edward Grey, Regulating Captain, Hull. Receipt of letter enclosing...

Folios 285-287: Edward Grey, Regulating Captain, Hull. Receipt of letter enclosing Petition from Ann Holmes requesting the discharge of her husband James Holmes. He is an Ordinary Seaman impressed by Lieutenant Cheape on 13 [April 1808] from on board a ballast sloop. He had been hired the night before to help load her. He is 41 and has been employed for 5 years on board river sloops and Sea Fencibles but had left both these services 2 years ago. When he was regulated Mr Green, Secretary to the Ballast Office attended with a view to claiming him as belonging to one of the ballast sloops but when he found he had left the service 2 years ago said he had no claim on him. His wife and her friend immediately offered to find a substitute. He told them he was not authorised to accept substitute without orders from the Admiralty. They said they would write and offer substitute and afterwards told him they had sent the enclosed petition to Mr Staniforth. Holmes has 4 children and his wife is now pregnant. Following the letter of 19 [April 1808] he ordered his discharge.

Folios 287-289: enclosure with folios 285-287. Undated petition of Ann Holmes, witnessed by John Westaby and Robert Gandam. Her husband James Holmes was impressed from one of the lighters employed by the Ballast Service on 13 [April 1808]. He has never served at sea and has only been employed in the ballast or river trade about 4 or 5 years. She has 4 children, the oldest under 13 years and will soon have a fifth. Asks for permission to provide as substitute either one Abel Seaman or 2 Landmen.

Folio 289-290: enclosure with folios 285-287. Copy of letter dated 19 April 1808 from John Barrow to Captain Grey, Hull. Having sent a letter of 19 [April 1808] from Mr Staniforth to the Admiralty, he has their directions to cause him to be discharged.