Folios 231-232: Robert Dudley Oliver, HMS Melpomene, Downs. Noting that he has only...

Folios 231-232: Robert Dudley Oliver, HMS Melpomene, Downs. Noting that he has only just received Admiralty letter of 19 September, re his having impressed men from the Indiaman the Marchioness of Exeter. Says they fell in with that vessel near Folkestone on 20 August and boarded her - they were told there were several men fit for the service aboard and he directed them to be brought to the Melpomene, saying he would return man for man - he says he returned some much better men than he received. He also disputes the situation claimed by the merchantman, re time lost and her being obliged to anchor - he says the whole fleet had to anchor in the conditions at the time and he sent on board to offer any assistance she might need. However, the captain of the vessel 'flew into a violent rage' and discharged distress guns. Also, he adds that the captain had lost nearly 30 men in the previous 18 months due to feeding them on bad provisions obtained at Batavia in lieu of 'good English beef and pork' which had been sold at a higher price. In conclusion he adds that re Captain Skene of the Lapwing having sent '11 invalids' aboard the Indiaman, there is no truth whatever in this and he is indignant that 'the Committee of Shipping (whoever they are)' should presume the captains of HM Service would do anything prejudicial to the trade of this country.