Folios 246-247: John Willoughby Marshall, HMS Lynx, Long Reach. Responding to Admiralty...

Folios 246-247: John Willoughby Marshall, HMS Lynx, Long Reach. Responding to Admiralty query re Thomas Wright, of the Peggy, of Sear Bros, he says the man was impressed with 4 others by the Lynx's 2nd lieutenant, and that contrary to the Master's report the officer had not done so in despite of the Master's remonstrance - he had not even seen the Master, who did not appear to be on the ship. This story is corroborated by Wright. No protections were shown, but as they were leaving the ship the Mate said the men were protected and the lieutenant replied that if so they would be discharged. All five men pressed said they would enter for the Service, but Wright became separated from them ( one was his brother), so he then refused to enter due to being sent to a different ship from the others. Marshall asks for further directions.

Folios 248-249: enclosure with folios 246-247. Letter dated 10 April 1808 by James Hutcham, Master of the Hope, laden with a valuable cargo and bound for Quebec, who says he had had protections granted for 13 men and boys. But on April 10 an officer from the Lynx had come and impressed 3 of his best men, John Pryor, Richard Adams, and David Hoad, so the ship cannot sail and the owner will bear a great expense - asks for immediate discharge of the men.

Folios 250-251: enclosure with folios 246-247. Petition of William Sims, Master of the Providence, of London, a collier. He says on 8 April while on passage to Shields, they were boarded by an officer from the Lynx who impressed James Williams their chief carpenter, who has an affidavit as carpenter of the sails, has been with the ship for near 3 years and is 55 years old. For want of sails the ship is now held upat Greenhithe - he asks for the man's discharge.

Folios 252-253: enclosure with folios 246-247. From Isaac Frankland, saying he had prepared his ship, the Peggy, now lying at Blackwall, for a voyage to the Baltic, applied for protections for his men - which were granted - but the vessel was boarded by an officer belonging to HMS Lynx and he took Thomas Wright despite his name being entered on the protection. When Frankland remonstrated with the officer, the latter said the protection was a 'mere form' and persisted, but Frankland says he is not in a position to continue with his voyage unless Wright may be discharged.