Folios 78-79: Andrew Smith, Regulating officer, Greenock Rendezvous. Covering letter...

Folios 78-79: Andrew Smith, Regulating officer, Greenock Rendezvous. Covering letter enclosing copy of warrant granted by the Greenock magistrates for putting in jail/the 'Common Bridewell' Lieutenant Hibbs, for impressing and taking into the Rendezvous a seaman who was later released as he was master of a lighter and unfit for the service. He says as every seaman in the Clyde might demand the same security - which would be ruinously expensive to the officer and the service - he has advocated granting the security and sent copies to the law agent in Edinburgh in order to obtain a Bill of suspension and liberation until until the question can be tried. Hopes for their Lordships' approbation and directions, and says a 'more shameful outrage was never practised upon the Service'. A want of evidence prevents him prosecuting McLean for dissuading two boys from entering the Navy.

Folios 80-81: enclosure with folios 78-79. Petition of Neil McLean, skipper in Greenock. States that Lt Robert John Hibbs of the Royal Mary, at present in the impress service in Greenock, has for some time past conceived 'malice and ill will' towards the petitioner and has made threats on his life, which made it necessary for him to be put under caution of law. Details of the caution follow.

Folios 82-84: enclosure with folios 78-79. Letter dated 15 September 1813 from H. Crawford and Son to M. Grey or Greig. Greenock, 15 September. Says two boys had lately come to the Rendezvous to volunteer, but were noticed by Neil McLean, mariner, who 'made up to them' and persuaded them not to do so. Lt Hibbs had observed this, had him brought into the Rndezvous and remonstrated with him, said he would ensure he was punished if he ever did such a thing again. McLean immediately went to a magistrate with his petition claiming to be under threat and his charges were upheld by the magistrate who cautioned Hibbs and without hearing his version ordered him to be imprisoned in the tolbooth. But the writer says Hibbs had no previous acquaintance with McClean, and no malice whatsoever towards him. Such charges would invalidate Hibbs' warrant for the impress and every seaman could take out such a petition and cause him to be imprisoned. Expenses and the cost of cautions in this jurisdiction (some details given) have ensured that no one could speak for Hibbs, who was subsequently jailed. Captain Smith requests that the case be laid immediately before the solicitor general.