Folios 489-490: Philip Hue, HMS Actaeon, Liverpool. Regarding Admiralty request of...

Folios 489-490: Philip Hue, HMS Actaeon, Liverpool. Regarding Admiralty request of 20 September to Captain Thomas Goldesborough, to enquire into the circumstances of a man named James Hughes, Hue encloses a copy of a letter he has written to Captain Goldesborough on this subject and says he is greatly hurt that even an 'appearance of sinister view on my part' should exist. Stresses how much care he always takes to examine substitutes at all times, and the attention he pays to any sums of money that are put into his hands by new raised men before they are forwarded to the Fleet. He hopes a thorough investigation will take place that will do away with any doubts. In a PS he requests that Hughes may be sent to Liverpool so that he can question him personally and discover if any 'nefarous proceedings' have taken place - for example if the man had been picked up by the impress gang and then liberated by them upon terms (payment).

Folios 491-492: enclosure with folios 489-490. Copy of Hue's letter, acknowledging receipt of the Admiralty query sent to him by Goldesborough, in regard to a substitute forwarded to the Fleet via the Renard. Notes that according to their Lordships' directive of 28 May to Hue, a substitute was to be sent to the Actaeon in lieu of James Edminston. Hue rejected 5 or 6 men he says, then about 30 July James Hughes arrived and offered himself. Hue was satisfied with him and the surgeon's report pronounced him fit for the Service. Hughes said he had been some years at sea and his answers to questions convinced Hue that he was an Able Seaman. He came voluntarily and it is not true he was impressed. As far as Hue recollects, the money paid by Edminston for a substitute was 14 or 15 guineas and Hue had received this sum, according to the books, as soon as he was sent aboard Renard for transfer to the Fleet.