Folios 185-186: James Nash, Regulating Captain, Leith Rendezvous. Reports that Lieutenant...

Folios 185-186: James Nash, Regulating Captain, Leith Rendezvous. Reports that Lieutenant John Gourly of HMS Mary has just returned from Shetland with 22 impressed men. Captain Nash sent him to intercept vessels coming from the Greenland fishery, and he was very successful, partly because the town of Kirkwall in the Orkneys and the Shetland Isles both offered bounties for men who would come forward. Encloses a letter from Lieutenant Gourly which makes reference to several fishing Doggers which were seen by the Master of the Consent of Shields, which were suspected of being Dutch but have since turned out to be from Prussia and Denmark. Suggests the Lieutenant be given the use of the Osnaburgh Revenue brig which is currently docked in Leith, so that he can stay at sea longer and collect more men.

Folios 187-188: enclosed with folios 185-186. Letter dated 15 July 1803 from Lieutenant John Gourly, the Duchess of Montrose Revenue schooner, off the Buchanness [Buchan Ness] to Regulating Captain James Nash, Leith. Reminds him that on 9 July he wrote enclosing the declaration made by the Master of the Consent concernng the fishing Doggers he sighted and reports that shortly afterwards he received the enclosed order [not present] from Lieutenant Shirley. The next day he met HMS l'Amaranthe and passed his information to Captain Charles Worsley Boys, who sent him to Shetland to make further enquiries. He sailed north of Fair Isle and close to the Island of Torola without seeing the Doggers, but later learned from the Masters of the Dublin of Lerwick and the privateer Fly of Folkstone that both had encountered a fleet of about 30. He was told in Shetland that Dutch, Danish or Prussian fleets of small vessels often appear at this time of year to fish for herring. Reports that the Greenland ships allow their crews to escape in boats to avoid being impressed, and he told the Master of the Hope of Peterhead that he would report such conduct to the Admiralty. Encloses copies of the resolutions passed by the Gentlemen of Orkney and Shetland.

Folios 189-190: enclosed with folios 185-186. Letter dated 13 July 1803 and signed by Walter Scott, Sheriff Substitute, Lerwick, to Regulating Captain James Nash, Leith. Lieutenant John Gourly will bring a copy of the resolution passed by the Heritors of Shetland.

Folios 191-192: enclosed with folios 185-186. Copy by Andrew Duncan of the resolution signed by Thomas Bolt, Vice Admiral Depute, and passed on 13 July 1803 by nine named Heritors of the County of Shetland, Lerwick, offering a bounty for any seaman volunteering for the Navy.

Folios 193-194: enclosed with folios 185-186. Resolution dated 8 July 1803, signed by Malcolm Laing, advocate, and passed by nine named Heritors of the County of Orkney, Kirkwall, offering a bounty of two guineas for every Able Seaman and one guinea for every Ordinary Seaman or Landsman volunteering for the Navy. Lieutenant John Gourly of the Impress Service is to be given a copy of the resolution.

Folios 195-196: enclosed with folios 185-186. Resolution dated 8 July 1803 and signed by Thomas Traill, Provost, Kirkwall, stating that the Magistrates and Council have resolved to offer a bounty for every seaman volunteering for the Navy.

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