Honrd Sir

Agreeable to your order, I send you by Lieut. [Bela] Elderkin an exact and acurate list, of Officers, Seamen, & Marines belonging on board the Ship Oliver Cromwell, as I can possibly Ascertain.

The Ship is Graved & Ballast, and I think in a very fair way to gett to Sea in 15 or 16 days if nothing material may happen — The Alteration of the Ship and reducing the Guns will reduce the men on board to 180, and if we should have no more than 150 will proceed if Your Honour thinks proper — The weather has been so extreem Cold, since I saw your Honour, that it has been almost impossible to do any wrt of Busness on board the Ship, tho we have, exerted ourselves to the Utmost, and Graved her, Yet the rigging being So very stiff We parted three Haw[s]ers, and was obliged to ly by untill a white careening fall was spun and made a New before we Could heave her out, as there was no piece of rigging to be had that would be Sufficient — Your Honour may depend that all spead shall be made in g[e]tting the Ship ready for Sea, and altho so great and expence has Arisen by Rawling her in to the warf, yet there has been no time lost, as we Could not have gone to sea while the Frigates have been lying (and still are off this Harbour Where they now remain but shall when the Ship is ready I doubt not) have some oppertunity that we may get out — those men who are infirm and unfitt for Service can do me no good but am perswaded many off them carry to Your Honour Complain[ts] and excuses which on Critical examination may be found not to be quite so true, the Engaging of men if they were not taken from me by every species of designing men, Who with large promises entice them away, would be very easy to engage Mr Elderkin will informe you of Mr [Samuel] Smedleys behaviour! (as it would be too lengthy to Write you the particulars! it's not only him but Sundry recruteing officers that do and would get my people if they Could) my officers from the Eastward tell me that if I gett into the Vineyard Sound I can be found Supplyd with any Compliment of men immediately, — and perhaps that may be my most safe way of going to Sea, be that as it may I expect a number to Come from thare in a Whale Boat to be here in a few Day's — At present have no doubt but I shall be able to have a fu[ll] Crew without haveing any from that way, but should [at] present be willing to discharge any that are hearty and well — to go out by Montauck may be the most expedient — if any [matter] of moment should an-ise shall Communicate it to Your Hon[our] immediately — I am with the greatest respect [&c.]

N London February 24th 1777

[Enclosure]

A return of Officers, Seamen and Marines —
belonging on board Ship Oliver Cromwell; Febry 24th 1 777