Folios 203-204: Edward Killwick, HMS Princess, Liverpool. Reports that on Sunday...

Folios 203-204: Edward Killwick, HMS Princess, Liverpool. Reports that on Sunday while the ship's company were at prayer James Duncan, the Master, was in charge on deck. A letter of marque, the East of Chester of Liverpool, anchored nearby and Mr Duncan directed her not to let anyone ashore until the ship could be boarded and examined. Instead her Master allowed the crew to man the boats, arm themselves with pistols and cutlasses and set off for the shore. Mr Duncan ordered the Marines to fire their muskets near the boats, and in the exchange of fire a woman standing on the shore was wounded. Encloses statements from those on deck.

Folios 205-206: enclosed with folios 203-204. Admiralty minute signed C Sayer noting that no letter of marque has been issued to a vessel called the Earl of Chester, and suggesting that Commander Edward Killwick be directed to correctly identify the vessel.

Folio 207: enclosed with folios 203-204. Declaration signed by Marine Corporal William Cartwright, HMS Princess, Liverpool, 22 April 1810. Declares that he heard James Duncan, Master, order Marine Morris A Welday to fire his musket to force a boat from a nearby merchant ship to come alongside, but not to hit the boat. Witnessed by James Jifford and Joseph Allport.

Folios 208-209: enclosed with folios 203-204. Declaration signed by Coxswain Griffith Williams, HMS Princess, Liverpool, 22 April 1810. States that the Master, James Duncan, ordered a boat from a nearby merchant ship to come alongside because he suspected they were trying to escape the impress. When they refused and a second boat appeared, Mr Duncan ordered a Marine to fire low into the water and not to hurt anyone. Witnessed by James Jifford and Joseph Allport.

Folios 210-211: enclosed with folios 203-204. Declaration signed by Midshipman Daniel Cross, HMS Princess, Liverpool, 2 April 1810. The officer of the watch ordered a boat from a nearby merchant ship to come alongside, and when the boat refused several muskets were fired, but with orders not to aim at the boat. He observed musket balls falling into the river some distance from the boat. Witnessed by Midshipman James Jifford and Assistant Clerk Joseph Allport.

Folios 212-213: enclosed with folios 203-204. Declaration signed by Gunner's Mate Joseph Barglehole, HMS Princess, Liverpool, 22 April 1810. States that the officer of the watch, Master James Duncan, ordered a boat from, a nearby merchant ship to come alongside and when they refused, ordered Marine Private Morris A Welday to fire in order to bring the boat to, but to aim low and take care not to injure anyone. Witnessed by Midshipman James Jifford and Joseph Allport.

Folio 214: enclosed with folios 203-204. Admiralty minute ordering further enquiries to be made.

Folios 215-216: enclosed with folios 203-204. Declaration signed by Marine Private Morris A Welday, HMS Princess, 22 April 1810. The officer of the watch, Master James Duncan, saw a merchant ship anchor nearby and a boat from that ship set off for the shore. He ordered the boat to come alongside and when they refused he ordered Private Welday to fire his musket, but to aim low and to be careful not to injure anyone in the boat. Witnessed by James Jifford and Joseph Allport.