Folios 92-93: Joshua Sydney Horton, Regulating Officer, Liverpool. Responds to the...

Folios 92-93: Joshua Sydney Horton, Regulating Officer, Liverpool. Responds to the letter of 14 January. A man calling himself Benjamin Mitchell was pressed by Lieutenant Rees on 8 January. He said he was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts and produced an American Protection which did not answer his age or description. He was questioned in the presence of the Consul's Deputy, who agreed with Captain Horton that the Protection was not his. When transported from the Rendezvous he admitted his real name was James Edwards, and that he was born in Shropshire. In respect of Charles Dolin, mentioned in the letter of 19 December, his name does not appear in the books at the Rendezvous. He has forwarded the letter to Captain Colquitt. He returns the enclosure.

Folios 94-95: enclosure with folios 92-93. Letter dated 11 January 1809 by James Edwards, on board HMS Princess, Liverpool, to The Admiralty. He was pressed on 8 January when attempting to support his wife and 6 small children. His father was killed in the action at Trafalgar, so he also supports his helpless mother, and has no means other than his earnings. Requests his discharge and will try to obtain substitutes and asks for compassion.