Folios 40-41: Joshua Sydney Horton, Regulating Officer, Liverpool. Reports that he...

Folios 40-41: Joshua Sydney Horton, Regulating Officer, Liverpool. Reports that he has received James Kelly, an able-bodied Landsman, as substitute for Robert Jones, a Landsman volunteer who entered with Lieutenant Clarke on 21 November [1808]. The direction of 17 December specified two able-bodied Landsmen. Captain Horton believes there is no prospect of another substitute due to the very distressed situation of his mother. As Jones is in a poor state of health requests that he is discharged with only one substitute. James Royle entered with Lieutenant Rees on 27 December as a Landsman volunteer. He was born in Cheshire. George Fletcher was pressed by Lieutenant Rees on 27 December as an Able seaman and Shipwright, born at Maryport. He said he was a Shipwright, was then employed HMS Chesterfield and engaged to proceed with her on a voyage. No documents were produced, nor did anybody appear to prove he had not been to sea. Captain Horton has ordered the discharge of James Barry as directed and returns the enclosures. He sends the weekly return of men raised at Liverpool [not present].

Folios 42-43: enclosure with folios 40-41. Letter dated 3 January 1808 by Joseph Dalteray, Liverpool, to The Admiralty. At the request of the Mayor, sends a letter from a Solicitor in Liverpool relating to James Royle, now on board the tender destined for Plymouth. He volunteered for service but the Mayor has every reason to believe that the facts in the enclosed letter are correct. The father is highly respected. The Mayor, on behalf of the parents and friends of the young man, asks on what terms he might be discharged.

Folios 44-45: enclosure with folios 40-41.Letter dated 2 January 1808 by Matthew Nicholson, Liverpool, to the Mayor of Liverpool. Jonathon Royle is a respected farmer at Ashton upon Mersey, near Altrincham, Cheshire, as Mr Nicholson's housekeeper, a relative of Mr Royle, will testify. His son, and chief assistant in his business, has always lived at home but an unfortunate desire to see Liverpool led to the current distress. The Regulating Officer has advised that his friends should apply by letter for his release. The son has a good home, useful employment, and no desire to serve in the Navy.

Folios 46-47: enclosure with folios 40-41.Petition dated 31 December 1808 by Margaret Fletcher, late of Maryport, Cumberland, now of Liverpool, from 12 Henry Edward Street, Liverpool, to The Admiralty. Petition for the discharge of her son George Fletcher, bound as an apprentice to John Peat and Co, Maryport, Ship Builder.

Folio 48: enclosure with folios 40-41. Certificate dated 31 December 1808 by Thomas Golightly, Justice of the Peace, Liverpool. Certifying that Margaret Fletcher of Liverpool made a sworn statement before him in relation to her son George Fletcher.

Folios 49-50: enclosure with folios 40-41. Letter dated 3 January 1808 by Hugh Craig, Liverpool, to The Admiralty. Request for discharge of James Barry, an orphan with 3 sisters, who volunteered on 30 December 1808.