Folios 151-152: Francis Temple, c/o J D Boswell, Navy Pay Office, Somerset Place,...

Folios 151-152: Francis Temple, c/o J D Boswell, Navy Pay Office, Somerset Place, London. Asking to be represented by the Admiralty Solicitor at his forthcoming trial for causing the death of through excessive force of Thomas Archard, Seaman of HMS Theseus when under his command in 1805. The Coroner's Court at Rochester has found him guilty of murder, a charge which he denies and encloses affidavits from the Surgeon and Assistant Surgeon which he believes clearly exonerate him.

Folios 153-154: enclosure with folios 151-152. William Cuthbertson, Surgeon, HMS Seagull and formerly of HMS Theseus. Affidavit stating that in his opinion Thomas Archard died on board HMS Avalon hospital ship in September 1805, not as a result of the flogging he received on HMS Theseus, but due to the loss of use of his lower extremities due to change of climate, his self neglect and refusal to take any nourishment and which resulted in the mortification of ulcers. Also states that when he served on HMS Theseus he did not observe nor believes any excessive or severe punishments were inflicted on the crew by Francis Temple.

Folios 155-156: enclosure with folios 151-152. Letter dated 16 October 1805 by John Wills Street, Assistant Surgeon of HMS Resistance and formerly of HMS Theseus. Affidavit stating he was Assistant Surgeon on HMS Theseus from 16 March 1805 to 21 September 1805 under the command of Francis Temple. States that while Thomas Archard had often been beaten with ropes by Peter Duffy, Boatswain and his Mates without the orders or knowledge of Francis Temple and that excessive force had never been used by Francis Temple on the crew. Archard had been removed to HMS Avalon at the first sign of being ill and died on 24 September 1805 due to mortification of ulcers.