Folios 216-217: Joshua Sydney Horton, Regulating Officer, Liverpool. Responding to...

Folios 216-217: Joshua Sydney Horton, Regulating Officer, Liverpool. Responding to the letter of 8 February Patrick Caffrey, born in Drogheda, enlisted with Lieutenant Evans on 1 December as a Landsman volunteer. William Johnson, born in Woodchurch, Cheshire, was sent to Lieutenant Clarke's Rendezvous by the town magistrate on 30 January, having been guilty of a misdemeanour, as an Ordinary Seaman belonging to HMS Britannia. Edward Wrighten, born in Liverpool, was pressed by Lieutenant Evans on 2 October 1808. He was taken after information that he arrived in the Lydia, and a reward was paid. The surgeon found him fit for service, and he has also been passed fit at Plymouth. Captain Horton does not give any credit to the deposition of the parties mentioned in the affidavit. John G Sparks, born at Embden, was pressed by Lieutenant Rees on 14 January.He produced the enclosed Protection, but could give no satisfactory account. A person who claimed to know the man to whom the Protection belonged, and had sailed with him, said he was not the same man. He had been pressed a short time ago and cleared on production of further indentures. David Campbell: he has investigated the case. The enclosed application and affidavit are incorrect. He reported previously on this man on 30 January, and Lieutenant Evans states that he was present when he was pressed. He took him from another vessel in Salthouse Dock, while the sloop Britannia was at that time lying in Old Dock and had discharged it's cargo. The Master confessed that Campbell was not engaged for subsequent voyages. Henry Webb, born in Bolton, was brought to Lieutenant Rees's Rendezvous on 22 January as a Landsman volunteer substitute for Owen Williams. Although he said he was not an apprentice, he was claimed a few days later. Henry Daniel, born in Anglesey, was pressed by Lieutenant Baly on 28 January as an Ordinary Seaman, He said he belonged to the Lark packet. He was taken on shore, drinking in a Public House at night. Isaac Lewis, born at Neunburgh, was pressed by Lieutenant Rees on 29 January as an Ordinary Seaman. He had no Protection except the enclosed affidavit, acknowledged that he had been employed in the British Merchant Service, and is well known to be a Welsh Jew. Also sends the weekly return of men raised at Liverpool [not present].

Folios 218-219: enclosure with folios 216-217> Letter dated 4 February 1809 by Jan Georks at Mr Henry Parry's, Rammers Court, Chapple Street, Liverpool, to The Admiralty. He recently arrived in Liverpool on board the merchant ship John as a Seaman. He was pressed and sent on board HMS Princess, despite being German and having produced the enclosed Protection [not present], and could not obtain his release. Requests his discharge and an Admiralty Protection.

Folio 220: enclosure with folios 216-217. Letter [undated] by George Wrighten, 37 Leeds Street, Liverpool, to The Admiralty. Sends an affidavit relating to his son Edward Wrighten, who was pressed last October and is now on board Salvador del Mundo at Plymouth. His son was born infirm and continues with the complaint, which renders him incapable of seafaring. Requests his discharge.

Folio 221: enclosure with folio 220. Affidavit from several individuals swearing that Edward Wrighten suffered complications at birth causing a rupture of the jaw, he requires glasses, and is unfit for work at sea. Signed by Ann Wilson, wife of David Wilson, Master Carrier, Tythebarn; Thomas Bullen, Carpenter; Thomas Bromley, Shoemaker, Tythebarn; Edward Wrighten; wife of George Upshon.

Folio 222: enclosure with folios 216-217. Letter dated 6 February 1809 by J Davies, 5 Fenwick Street, Liverpool, to The Admiralty. Writing regarding William Johnson, recently pressed and now on board HMS Princess. His father, Thomas Johnson, of Upton, Cheshire, wishes to know the conditions for his release. Sends a statement of facts and requests an early answer. William Johnson, son of Thomas Johnson of Upton, is apprenticed to Captain Hunter of the Britannia of London and has not yet finished his apprenticeship.

Folio 224: enclosure with folios 216-217. Letter dated 8 February 1809 by John Caffrey, 2 Strand Street, to The Admiralty. John Caffrey, Carpenter, has a son Patrick who is a regular apprentice of his. His indentures are enclosed. Last November he went on board a sloop bound for Liverpool to carry out repairs. He got drunk and the ship sailed without him. He was pressed and is now on board HMS Princess. On the back of this enclosure is a certificate from the Mayor [not present]. Requests his discharge.

Foilios 226-227: enclosure with folios 216-217. Letter from dated 8 February 1809 by John Dunne, Admiralty Office to Captain Horton, Liverpool. Sends the enclosed letter and affidavit from Messrs Wellwood Maxwell repeating the request for the discharge of David Campbell, Mate of the sloop Britannia.

Folio 228: enclosure with folios 226-227. Letter dated 6 February 1809 by Wellwood Maxwell, Liverpool to The Admiralty. Refers to the last letter relating to David Campbell, Mate of the sloop Britannia but now detained on board HMS Princess. Apologises for a second application on his behalf. Encloses affidavits of 3 shipmasters which he hopes will make the case for his release.

Folios 230: enclosure with folio 228. Statement dated 4 February 1809 by William Bannatyne, Master of the sloop Britannia, John Duncan, Master of the sloop Isabella of Rothesay, and John Stewart, Master of the brig Sampson of Liverpool, all currently lying in Liverpool, sworn in Liverpool before Jonathon Irvin, Master acting in Chancery, 4 February 1809. On a date [not given] their vessels were lying alongside the Britannia in Old Dock, Liverpool, when David Campbell was pressed. All swear that he was employed on the sloop Britannia.

Folio 232: enclosure with folios 216-217. Letter dated 7 February 1809 by Robert Williams, Old Bird Street, Liverpool, to the Admiralty. Petition from the relatives of Henry Daniel, son of Henry Daniel of Abersoch, North Wales, for his release. He was on board the packet Lark, belonging to Mr Lake and sailing from Liverpool to Dublin, and was pressed last Saturday. Wish to know the conditions for his discharge.

Folio 233: enclosure with folios 216-217. Petition dated 6 February 1809 from James Webb, Union Foundry, Black Horse Street, Bolton. Sends an indenture [not present] and requests the release of Henry Webb, who left without the knowledge or consent of his master, and is currently on board HMS Princess. Despite his father attempting to obtain his release by showing the indenture to the Captain of HMS Princess and the Regulating Officer he is still detained.

Folios 235-236: enclosure with folios 216-217. Letter dated 7 February 1809 by Isaac Lewis, Liverpool, c/o Peter Barrons, 1 Benns Gardens, Liverpool, to The Admiralty. States that he was pressed some 5 weeks ago and is currently on board HMS Princess. Despite showing proof that he is a native of Germany, he has been detained. Encloses his affidavit [not present]. He had only been employed as a Seaman in the British Merchant Service for 4 months when pressed. requests his discharge.