Folios 114-115: William Charleton, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Response to...

Folios 114-115: William Charleton, Regulating Captain, North Shields. Response to a request to state the cases of John Preston, Edward Purdy and Alexander Mearns, who were impressed for service. John Preston was impressed at Shields on 18 March 1804 in consequence of a boxing match with his Master, resulting in the Master no longer wanting to employ him. Edward Purdy was impressed on shore in Sunderland very early on the morning of 5 March 1804, having been on shore all night and having been determined fit to enter service. Alexander Mearns was impressed at Newcastle on 18 April 1804 and detained as not having signed any Articles of Agreement for service. He disputes that being a part owner offers him protection from service.

Folios 116-117: enclosure with folios 114-115. Affidavit dated 27 April 1804 by John Rowling, Sunderland, requesting that John Preston, who was impressed 18 March 1804 and is on HMS Zealand at the Nore, should be discharged by Captain Mitchell as he is a gentleman of property and a considerable shipowner.

Folios 118-119: enclosure with folios 114-115. Thomas Collingwood, 27 April 1804. Submission by Marmd Greear, Master in favour of Edward Purdy and corroboration of John Watson, the surgeon who attended John Harling, now on board HMS Romulus, during his illness. The surgeon testifies that John is unfit for service due to a rupture on his right side. He was on HMS Ardent, Yarmouth Roads, 31 January 1801 when examined. He later examined him on 8 February 1804 and found that due to his hernia he was experiencing frequent attacks.

Folio 120: enclosure with folios 114-115. Marmd Greear, Sunderland, 18 April 1804. Statement that he was sick on board the Stockton Packet as Master and sent the Mate, Edward Purdy on shore to make an entry at the Custom House when he was impressed and he is now on passage to the Nore.

Folios 121-122: enclosure with folios 114-115. Letter dated 28 April 1804 by James Farquhar, MP for Montrose. Request for discharge of Alexander Mearns, who was impressed at Newcastle. States that Alexander was Mate and an owner of the ship the Endeavour of Montrose, which is chartered for Sweden. It is now delayed on account of this detention.

Folios 123-124: enclosure with folios 114-115. Letter dated 28 April 1804 by William Atkinson, Chancery Lane. Request to relay the enclosed petition of Alexander Mearns and supporting affidavit by the Captain before the Lords and Alexander's immediate discharge.

Folios 125-126: enclosure with folios 114-115. Sworn affidavit dated 21 April 1804 by David Mearns, Newcastle Upon Tyne, that Alexander Mearns is a part owner and Mate of the ship Endeavour of Montrose. He was impressed on board this vessel at Newcastle Port on 18 April 1804 by Joseph Moody, Midshipman of the Impress Service and sent on board the ship Eliza Tender by Lieutenant Constable at this port. Requests his discharge as he is needed on his ship, which is awaiting charter.

Folios 127-128: enclosure with folios 114-115. William Atkinson, 56 Chancery Lane, 28 April 1804. Petition by Alexander Mearns, part owner and Mate of the brig Endeavour to be released from impress.