Folios 212-213: Wilson Rathborne, Regulating Officer, North Shields. Responds to...

Folios 212-213: Wilson Rathborne, Regulating Officer, North Shields. Responds to the letter of 5 October and sends a report on the case of Robert Nicholson, currently on board the Lyra tender. He returns the enclosure and the Protection taken from Nicholson when pressed [not present]. Robert Nicholson, Ordinary Seaman, was pressed by Lieutenant France, Newcastle, on 17 September and detained for the service as being an Apprentice over 4 years at sea and having no legal proof of being under age, only the enclosed certificate of baptism which does not contain his date of birth. The Surgeon was certain that Nicholson was 18 or 19 years old, and his appearance is of a stout strong looking young man. He is about 19 years old, has been at sea for 4 years, and well suited for service.

Folios 214-215: enclosure with folios 212-213. Letter dated 3 October 1811 from Benjamin Gowland, Whitby, to The Admiralty. He is the Owner of the brig Lady Milner of Whitby. Robert Nicholson, Apprentice belonging to the ship was pressed despite being under age, as apparent from the enclosed certificate of baptism [not present]. Requests his discharge.

Folios 216-217: enclosure with folios 212-213. Letter dated 8 October 1811 from Wilson Rathborne, Regulating Officer, North Shields, to The Admiralty. After sending his letter of today's date regarding Robert Nicholson, the enclosed Affidavit was received which appears to protect him, although appearances are very much against it.

Folio 218: enclosure with folios 216-217. Affidavit dated 5 October 1811 by Margaret Brice, Guisborough, sworn before Thomas Pym Williamson, Acting Magistrate, North Riding of York. She states that she was present at the birth of Robert Nicholson, son of Thomas and Jane Nicholson of Guisborough, and that he was born on 8 February 1895.