Folios 243-244: Joshua Sydney Horton, Regulating Officer, Liverpool. Responding to...

Folios 243-244: Joshua Sydney Horton, Regulating Officer, Liverpool. Responding to the letter of 13 February. Peter Eccleston, born in Liverpool, was pressed by Lieutenant Clarke on 27 January as an Ordinary Seaman. He was bound apprenticed to the sea, indenture dated 20 September 1804. Jose Dias, said to have been born in Lisbon. Captain Colquitt has reported that he was sent on board HMS Princess in the name of Joseph Grays, first calling himself Portugese but now admitting that he is a native of Jersey. He was pressed by Lieutenant Rees on 19 January as an Ordinary Seaman. William Manly, born in Lancashire, entered with Lieutenant Evans on 27 January as a volunteer substitute for John Oldis. He declared he was not an apprentice. Alexander Boyd claimed to be born in America. He was pressed by Lieutenant Baly on 22 December 1808. He had no Protection and is evidently a British subject. John Sherrack claimed to be born in America. He was pressed by Lieutenant Rees on 7 February. He produced the enclosed Protection [not present] signed by the Consul at Rotterdam, but information was given that he was born in Ireland. He was questioned in the presence of the American Consul Deputy, who agreed that in view of his strong Irish accent and other circumstances, the Protection did not belong to him, and that he is Irish.

Folio 245: enclosure with folios 243-244. Letter dated 9 February 1809 by John Eccleston, from Mr Inglefield's, Castle Ditch, Liverpool, to The Admiralty. Asks to know the conditions required for the discharge of his son, Peter Eccleston.

Folio 246: enclosure with folios 243-244. Statement [undated] by John Barber, John Eccles, Richard Morley, James Monks and Anthony Higham that they know John Eccleston and his wife to be poor and infirm, Their chief support comes from their son.

Folios 247-248: enclosure with folios 243-244. Letter dated 9 February 1809 by Peter Smith, from 2 Leatherlane Alley, Liverpool, to The Admiralty. Jose Dias has been recently pressed and is on board HMS Princess. He has known him for over 3 years and will gladly provide a substitute. The young man is very unhealthy and totally unfit for service at sea. Two able-bodied Landsmen, or Seamen if possible. will be much more useful.

Folios 249-250: enclosure with folios 243-244. Letter dated 10 February 1809 by James Hirst, c/o The Post Office, Liverpool, to The Admiralty. His apprentice, William Manley, absconded from his service to Liverpool on 20 January and enrolled, and is currently on HMS Princess. As he has time left to serve in his apprenticeship, he wishes to be discharged. Therefore requests his release, and he will cover reasonable expenses. The indenture is enclosed [not present]. Mr Hirst is waiting in Liverpool for a response and requests return of the enclosures.