Folios 368-369: Joshua Sydney Horton, Regulating Officer, Liverpool. Responding to...

Folios 368-369: Joshua Sydney Horton, Regulating Officer, Liverpool. Responding to the letter of 8 March. William Smith, born in Liverpool, entered with Lieutenant Clarke on 28 February as a Boy Volunteer. He positively denied being an apprentice. William Dove, alias Durham, born in Rush, Ireland, was pressed by Lieutenant Evans on 15 February. He said he was a shoemaker and his name was Dove, but acknowledged that he had been employed in fishing from Skerries for 2-3 years and came from Dublin to Chester to be a bound apprentice. No indenture was produced, but a few days later an indenture was produced to claim him under the name of Durham. He was taken from a crimp house in Sparling Street, and not from a vessel as stated in the application. He returns the enclosures. Also sends the weekly report of men raised in Liverpool [not present]. The Quarterly Protections of the Master Riggers at Liverpool will expire on 12 March. They have asked for a renewal. Requests Protections for 30 men each employed by the 8 Master Riggers named [no names given] with the ususal proviso that they be approved by the Regulating Captain, and previously enrolled as Sea Fencibles.

Folios 370-371: enclosure with folios 368-369. Letter dated 6 March 1809 from James Mercer, Cheapside, Liverpool, to The Admiralty. His apprentice, William Smith, age 14, is currently on board HMS Princess. Captain Horton has said that an application should be made to The Admiralty. He encloses his indenture [not present] and requests his early discharge.

Folio 372: enclosure with folios 368-369. Letter dated 2 March 1809 from John Connell, Liverpool, to The Admiralty. Sends the indenture [not present] of William Durham, who was pressed on 14 February and is on board HMS Princess. Requests his immediate discharge.