Sir,

As Their Lordships have been pleased to appoint me to the important Command at North America, I must take the liberty of representing to you, that the Chatham is the worst and Oldest of any of the Fifty Gunships upon that Service, as well as extremely unfit and inconvenient for a Flag-Officer Commanding in Chief on a Service where his Ship is to be his constant residence, without the probability of lying a Night out of her during the course of his Command; I must therefore beg the favour you will signifie my request to Their Lordships, that they will please to Order, that the Vigilant at this Port may be fitted properly for me and sent out in the Spring; the difference of the Draught of Water is Trifling and the additional number of Men I am confident will never want constant and necessary Employment. The reason of my particularizing, and making choice of the Vigilant is, that she is the most Floaty Ship of her Class in this Harbour. I submit the propriety of this request to Their Lordships Consideration, and am Sir [&c.]