Folios 184-185: Wilson Rathborne, North Shields. Responding to Mr Barrow's letter...

Folios 184-185: Wilson Rathborne, North Shields. Responding to Mr Barrow's letter of 13 February regarding James Thompson, now aboard the Eliza tender. Says this man was detained as described in his previous letter of 31 January, and in a further report on 6 February in response to Mr Barrow's directive of the 3rd, that he should send Thompson to the Nore. Gives his opinion that the enclosed affidavit of William Balleny can have no bearing on the case, as 'it entirely depends on whether the James Thompson aboard the Nightingale is really the man who had run from the Lady Jane, Greenlandship'.

Folio 186: enclosure with folios 184-185. Letter dated 10 February 1812 by R. Barker (Master in Chancery), North Shields, saying he is sending two affidavits in regards to James Thompson, who was impressed as being a deserter from the Lady Jane, with a protection for Davis's Straits. He claims 'it is now proved' by the Master of that ship that the person now impressed is not the one who deserted and who is now with another ship preparing a voyage to Greenland.

Folio 187: enclosure with folios 184-185. Affidavit dated 3 February 1812 by William Holmes of North Shields, Master of the Lady Jane, swearing that James Thompson, the man impressed and now aboard the Eliza, is not the same as the man of the same name lately of Lady Jane's crew, for whom a protection was obtained at Newcastle as Line Manager aboard the ship and who has now absconded. Folio 188: Enc with fos 184-185: From William Balleny, of Little Greencroft, Durham, swearing that James Thompson was bound apprentice to him for three years, to serve at sea - during which time Thompson was never impressed not did he serve aboard any of HM Ships, nor did he desert from any. Holmes believes that the indenture expired about two years earlier.