Folios 164-165: Robert Mansel, HMS Beschermer, in the Wallet. He has orders from...

Folios 164-165: Robert Mansel, HMS Beschermer, in the Wallet. He has orders from Rear Admiral Rowley to give details of James Mitchell, George Murray, and William Gibbons. Says Mitchell is an Able Seaman, who must have served 3 years before he was bound apprentice; Murray is an Able Seaman of about 26, who must also have been at sea some years before his apprenticeship, Gibbons is about 23, again an Able Seaman with some years service. In all three cases he thinks the indentures provided are solely for the purpose of protection from the impress and give no descriptions of age or appearance - they could have been made out for any three young men. Adds a postscript that the indenture for James Barrie was shown by the Master of the Betsey for the protection of John Sanderson, an Able Seaman impressed from the same vessel as James Mitchell, suggesting the indentures are all equally invalid - Anderson later confessed the fraud and volunteered for the service.

Folios 166-167: enclosure with folios 164-165. Letter dated 22 November 1803 from an agent on behalf of Captain Thomas Strachan, from whose brig, the Neptune, George Murray and William Gibbon were impressed. He says the vessel is a transport, bringing troops from Aberdeen to Harwich, but she cannot now sail for want of hands. Asks that the men, whom he claims were never at sea before and whose indentures were taken from them, may be discharged.

Folios 168-169: enclosure with folios 164-165. Second application dated 28 November 1803 from the agent, for Murray and Gibbon and for James Mitchell, sending their indentures [not now present] and asking for their immediate release.

Folios 170-171: enclosure with folios 164-165. Third letter dated 24 November 1803 from the agent, regarding James Mitchell, impressed from the troop transport vessel Betsey of Aberdeen, James Grey Master, repeating that the vessel cannot proceed for want of hands at 'heavy expense to the Government' and enclosing his indentures [not now present] to ensure his release.