ngspice not printing currents for any circuit
Your first circuit is correct, you don't have errors, just warnings. You can ignore the warning about v1 or define it with a value like v1 1 0 9. I've just tested your initial circuit with ngspice (linux) and it did give the correct value for the current (-5.00000e-04) through the source v1.

.print i(v1)
yields error:
Error: .print: no i(v1) analysis found.

You forgot the analysis type parameter before the output variable: .print dc i(v1).
Note: As mentioned on this answer How to plot current in ngspice? with ngspice you only can get currents through independent voltage sources. If you have a more complex circuit you would need to add a zero volt source (in series) with the component to get its current.