Folios 58-59: Captain Smith, Regulating officer, Greenock. Replying to Admiralty...

Folios 58-59: Captain Smith, Regulating officer, Greenock. Replying to Admiralty letter of 2 October 1811, asking for details of James Fisher and John Elder, privates in the local Dunbartonshire Militia. Refers to his earlier letter, of 12 September, to Mr Croker, and also informs them that the men were not starving, and nor were their passes from coal boats on the Clyde, as he says the enclosed papers will prove. One of the sloops was bound for Belfast. Says John Elder was impressed about two years ago, as a seaman aboard a vessel, and seems to have continued as a seaman ever since except when the militia were out and he saw the chance to secure himself from the impress. He feels they are both liable to the impress and are now away to Plymouth on the Elizabeth tender, as Smith received Admiralty approval in a letter of 16 September. He says it is a shame such men are claimed by the local militia - he has just impressed two more, one of whom is a deserter from the navy, the other served an apprenticeship of 3 years at sea and went to the West Indies twice - he supposes they will also be applied for.

Folios 60-61: enclosure with folios 58-59. Two militia passes for the Glasgow district, for John Elder and James Fisher, with descriptions.

Folios 62-63: enclosure with folios 58-59. Letter dated 28 September 1811 by Captain James Dennistoun, Camis Eshar House, near Dumbarton. Saying that the two men who were impressed, Fisher and Elder, were actually local labourers, starving for want of employment to support their families 'at the loom', citing the depression of local manufactories. He gave them permission, and passes, to work as keel men in coal boats on the Clyde. Attaches a deposition giving their account [not very legible].

Topics

Labour

Army

Caribbean

Coal

Navy

Armed Forces (General Administration)