Folios 142-143: Thomas Flinn, on behalf of Captain Rathborne, Regulating Office,...

Folios 142-143: Thomas Flinn, on behalf of Captain Rathborne, Regulating Office, North Shields. Responds to the letter of 13 September, with a report on the case of John Thomas Billett. He was detained by Lieutenant Liddle, Sunderland, on 4 September, under suspicion of being an Apprentice illegally appointed Mate to protect him from pressing. An Indenture produced on 11 September proved that he was out of his Apprenticeship, and was a regular Mate of the vessel, so he was discharged. He returns the enclosures.

Folios 144-145: enclosure with folios 142-143. Letter dated 12 September 1811 from George Allardyce, 24 Broad Street Buildings, to The Admiralty. John Thomas Billett, age 18, an apprentice to Walter Brambles Marina of Bridlington, was serving on board the brig Hannah, Master David Lundy, when he was pressed at Sunderland. He was bound for 6 years from 9 May 1807, and having demonstrated excellent behaviour was appointed Mate on 23 February 1811. This should provide him with Protection. At the expiry of his Apprenticeship his family should be able to procure for him command of a vessel. As he has been illegally pressed, requests his discharge. His brother is a Clerk in Mr Allardyce's Counting House.