Folios 292-293: Joshua Sydney Horton, Regulating Officer, Liverpool. Replying to...

Folios 292-293: Joshua Sydney Horton, Regulating Officer, Liverpool. Replying to the letter of 23 February. Charles Latham, said to be born in America, was pressed by Lieutenant Evans on 16 February as an Able Seaman. His shipmate Jacob Thompson said he was not American. He was interviewed in the presence of the Deputy American Consul, who agreed with Captain Horton that his description did not match that in the Protection. He is clearly a British Seaman. Thomas Vele, said to be born in Chester, was pressed by Lieutenant Evans on 16 February as an Able Seaman. When asked to write his name, he wrote Thomas Wild. He was interviewed in the presence of the Deputy American Consul but could not give a satisfactory account of himself and did not match the description in the Protection, which clearly belongs to another person. Thomas Cunningham, said to be born in Charleston, was pressed by Lieutenant Evans as an Able Seaman. When questioned, he knew nothing about Charleston and did not match the description in the Protection. He was also questioned in the presence of the Deputy American Consul, who agreed he was not the person to whom the Protection belonged, and that he was a British subject. John Fullerton, born in the Isle of Man, was pressed by Lieutenant Rees on 16 February as an Able Seaman. He produced the enclosed Protection as an American citizen, but acknowledged he was a British subject. Robert Jones, born in Wales, was pressed by Lieutenant Evans on 27 January. He produced a discharge from HMS Halifax dated September 1807. He had a detailed examination by the Surgeon who reported him perfectly fit. Henry Pooley, born in Liverpool, was pressed by Lieutenant Rees last November and then offered himself as a volunteer, but on producing a certificate of having served as Clerk on board HMS Boadicea was permitted to offer himself to Captain Colquitt in his office, promising to return to Captain Horton if he was refused. He has since made a voyage to Ireland and returned to Liverpool as a Mate, having meanwhile obtained a certificate from Captain Hotham as a Sea Fencible. He was pressed again by Lieutenant Rees on 2 February as an Able Seaman. He was taken from on board the vessel, said he had sailed out of Liverpool for 8 years, so was allowed to enter for HMS Indefatigable, but he was not sent as a deserter, as he claims. He is a good seaman and will be very useful in the Navy, but is not entitled to any indulgence. The case of William Cumberland, born in Beyntum [?Boynton], Yorkshire, was covered in the letter of 11 February, having been taken by Lieutenant Evans from on board the Chance, bound for New York, as a Miller and Weaver. He was detained to prevent his emigration until a decision was made; the letter of 14 February gave approval.

Folio 294-295: enclosure with folios 292-293. Letter dated 19 February 1809 from Henry Pooley, late Clerk of HMS Boadicea, on board HMS Princess, Liverpool, to The Admiralty. He was Clerk to Captain Maitland on HMS Boadicea from 7 November 1806 to 13 June 1808, when Captain Maitland retired and Captain Hatley took over. He was discharged on 2 November 1808 at his request and was detained by the press gang on arriving at Liverpool on 12 November. Describes the events following this, leading to his detention on HMS Princess as a deserter. He has also enrolled as a Sea Fencible. Requests his discharge into the Sea Fencibles, or an order that he may remain as a supernumerary on board a flag ship until there is an opportunity as a Clerk on any vessel.

Folios 296-297: enclosure with folios 292-293. Letter dated 20 February 1809 from John Jones, c/o Manceys Court, Blundell Street, Liverpool, to The Admiralty. His brother, Robert Jones, was discharged about 7 months ago from HMS Halifax, having been disabled by a fall. he has now been pressed and sent on board HMS Princess. He has been ill with a fever for 3 months and remains very ill. Before his discharge from HMS Halifax, it was said he would never be fit to serve again. He and his brother will find a substitute for him and request his discharge.