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My Lord, I cannot express My Astonishment upon reading Your Lordships Letter July 17th representing the behaviour of Captain [John] Macartney of His Majesty's Ship Mercury, whom I had considered and sent to your Assistance As an experienced Officer, extremely diligent and punctual and without the least doubt of his Conduct in all respects meriting Your Lordships particular Acknowledgements: It gives me great concern to find 'tis totally the Reverse ー I have therefore with all possible dispatch sent Captain James Montagu in His Majesty's Sloop Kingsfisher with Orders for Captain Macartney to return to me immediately in the Mercury; And as He must answer for his Offences upon Your Accusation at a Court Martial, I am to request Your Lordship will furnish me with such further Proofs of Captain Macartney's Guilt as can be procured and are requisite to support your Lordships Charge against him.

The Otter and Kingsfisher is the whole force I can at present send to Virginia, and as the Command will de[v]olve on Captain [Matthew] Squire, I shall be happy to know that he Zealously endeavours to exert his utmost for the good of His Majesty's Service, and is acceptable to your Lordship