Folios 411-412: Joshua Sydney Horton, Regulating Officer, Liverpool. Replying to...

Folios 411-412: Joshua Sydney Horton, Regulating Officer, Liverpool. Replying to the letter of 24 March. Peter Vasterborg, alias Westmoreland, said he was born in Hamburg. He was pressed by Lieutenant Clarke on 14 February as an Able Seaman. He had no Protection, and nobody has claimed him. Jonathan Sioblan, alias Seopeland, born in Shetland, was pressed by Lieutenant Rees on 3 March and then entered as an Ordinary Seaman volunteer. He had no Protection and nobody appeared on his behalf. Captain Horton has every reason to believe that he was born in Shetland or The Orkneys. Joseph Garcia said he came to Liverpool in the Media from Corunna. He did not say that he was from Sweden. He was pressed by Lieutenant Clarke on 20 February. He had no Protection nor did anybody claim him. In reply to the letter on 25 March, John Clarke, who said he was born in America, was pressed by Lieutenant Evans on 24 February as an Able Seaman. Mr Dalloway, the Surgeon, recognised him as having served on board HMS Swallow under the name of John Courtney. He is supposed to have deserted from her. He was examined by the American Consul, who refused to claim him, and agreed with Captain Horton that he was a British subject. John Howland, alias Rowland, said he was born in America. He was pressed by Lieutenant Evans on 9 March. He had no Protection, and was claimed by a Welsh Captain, but not as an American. The enclosed Protection [not present] has since been found and brought by the Bellman [of Liverpool] to the American Consul. Alexander Robinson said he was born in New York. He was pressed by Lieutenant Evans on 21 March. He produced the enclosed duplicate of Protection [not present]. He was interviewed in the presence of Mr Maury, the Consul in Liverpool. He knew very little about America and spoke in a strong Scottish dialect. He was reported to have been known in Liverpool some years, and to be a native of Scotland. The name of John Slanock does not appear on Captain Horton's books. He has sent the letter and enclosure to Captain Colquitt and asked him to respond. It appears to Captain Horton that James Astle had not deserted from HMS Blond, but that he had been sent, in place of a Commander, to navigate a merchant vessel to England. Captain Horton felt he could not pay a reward for his apprehension without an Order, although he had failed to return to the Rendezvous as soon as he should have. He returns the enclosures.

Folios 413-414: enclosure with folios 411-412. Letter dated 23 March 1809 from Jonathan Bamber, 9th Battalion Royal Artillery, Manchester to The Admiralty. As requested, he made his application to Captain Horton for the reward relating to James Astle, a deserter from The Navy. Mr Dunston at the New Baily sent the man to Liverpool as such, and there has not been a reply. Asks whether he is entitled to the reward.