Folios 219-220: Sandford Tatham, Greenock. Is forwarding papers in the case of a...

Folios 219-220: Sandford Tatham, Greenock. Is forwarding papers in the case of a volunteer, George Johnston who has been taken from the tender after obtaining a warrant from the Water Baillie. Tatham thinks this case has implications for the future.

Folios 221-224: enclosure with folios 219-220. Statement dated 28 September 1803 by Sandford Tatham of the case of George Johnston. Gives details of the circumstances in which Johnston volunteered and the actions of the Glasgow Bottlework Company to have him discharged. They are trying to use"the doctrine laid down by the Court of Session" that anyone contracted to work for someone foe a specific period of time is protected from/ineligible for service in the Navy. This could seriously affect recruitment.

Folios 225-226: enclosure with folios 219-220. Letter dated 29 September 1803 by Robert McClure, Glasgow. Provides Legal opinion. The Midshipman needs to be spoken to before they can be sure whether he volunteered or not. The employment document he has is NOT an Apprenticeship Indenture so he is not protected from serving in the Navy.

Folios 227-228: enclosure with folios 219-220. Letter dated 28 November 1803 by Robert McClure, Glasgow. Mr. Seton of the Glasgow Bottleworks is very concerned that if an employment contract is not considered binding he may lose a lot of men to the Navy. He proposes finding a substitute landsman for Johnston and paying all Tathams expenses. If this is unacceptable he will take the case to the House of Peers.

Folios 229-230: enclosure with folios 219-220. Copy of the decision of the Court of Session in the case of John Clerk v. Lieutenant Murchison 19 January 1799. A contract to work for a period takes precedence over joining the Military.