Sir —

I am come here on a disagreeable errand — to Supercede you, against whom I have no cause of complaint. Delicacy would not permit my more early Appearance. I wished to give you time to consider Seriously whether your Suspension can be in any respect Owing to me: You must be convinced that it was not when you recollect that I was Appointed to command a far better Ship than the Ranger: Besides, I believe you think me incapable of Baseness.

You will have an Opportunity of disproving whatever may have been said to your disadvantage, and the charges against you, whatever they are, must be supported by incontestable Facts, otherwise they will gain no credit with men of Candor and Ingenuity. Your Present calamity may yet terminate in your future happiness: When it Appears that you have been wrongfully charged, You will be entitled to a greater share of Public goodwill and Approbation than you could otherwise have claimed. I wish you well — and am Sir, [&c.]