Folios 193-194: Sandford Tatham, Greenock. Having been told that he overpaid for...

Folios 193-194: Sandford Tatham, Greenock. Having been told that he overpaid for the bedding which accompanied the men to HMS Northumberland as it was of an inferior quality and that the difference will be deducted from his pay, he robustly refutes that he is responsible. He explains the lengths he went to to secure good bedding. Not his fault if it was inferior and objects to this attack on his character.

Folios 195-196: enclosure with folios 193-194. Letter dated 6 October 1803 by James Carnachan, Master HMS Tender Peggie. States there was difficulty getting beds. He was present when the bedding was delivered and opened but there appeared to be no problem. Subsequently it became clear that the stuffing was inferior but that was probably because the mills couldn't run properly due to the drought.

Folios 197-198: enclosure with folios 193-194. Letter dated 6 October 1803 by Hugh Cameron, Upholsterer. Due to the drought which prevented the flax mills from working it was impossible to get flax properly freed from hulls[?]. He had informed Mr. Campbell of a parcel of mattresses which had come to a slop shop in town. These are the ones he saw on the tender and would have cost 18 shillings.

Folios 199-200: enclosure with folios 193-194. Letter dated 6 October 1803 by Robert Quintin Watt, Slop seller of Greenock. Certified that he sold mattresses and pillow/bolster to Duncan Campbell at a time when the mills were not working. Each mattress and bolster cost 5 shillings and 4 pence.

Folios 201-202: enclosure with folios 193-194. Letter dated 6 October 1803 by David Colquihoun, Justice of the Peace and William Fullarton, Merchant. With Hugh Cameron, upholster examined the bedding and found it to be perfectly servicable for sailors and the best that could could be got with the flax mills unable to work.

Folios 203-204: enclosure with folios 193-194. Letter dated 6 October 1803 by Duncan Campbell, Greenock. Explains the problems caused by the flax mills not working, the efforts made to supply the bedding and the solution arrived at. Does not deny that the stuffing had hull remaining but again states that arises from the drought. Insists would not put his reputation at risk by deliberately providing inferior goods or overcharging. His profit margins were small!