Folios 220-221: Robert Watson, HMS Isis, Gravesend. Responds to a request to report...

Folios 220-221: Robert Watson, HMS Isis, Gravesend. Responds to a request to report on the character of Peter Irvine and James Young, Seamen, who have deserted from HMS Isis and states that they are sober and well behaved men and feels that they had no intention of deserting but were avoiding being drawn into joining with the mutinous part of the Ship's Company.

Folio 222-223: enclosure with folios 220-221. Letter dated 10 June 1797 by Peter Irvine and James Young, Chelmsford Prison, to the Admiralty. Explain that they deserted to avoid being part of the Mutiny on HMS Isis and wanted to deliver themselves up to the Justices of the Peace so that they could continue to have their wages and serve on more peaceful ships. State that they have never been angry with their officers. Beg to be allowed to join a ship and be allowed to leave prison. In a Post script they ask for something to live on as they have nothing but bread and quart of small beer which is not fit to drink, are confined to a cell and are not permitted to walk in the prison yard in the daytime.

Folio 224-225: enclosure with folios 220-221. Letter dated 13 June 1797 by Peter Irvine and James Young, Chelmsford Prison, to the Admiralty. Explain in detail how they came to desert from HMS Isis to escape the mutineers during the night of Wednesday last and how they were they were stopped by a party of soldiers on shore, their intention to present themselves to the first Justice of th Peace they came across. However the Justice of the Peace have committed them as deserters even though many will vouch for their good character. Asks for His Majesty's pardon and their freedom and that the Admiralty ask the officers about them so they can be cleared of the charges.