Sir

I have already sayd so much on the Necessity of having a considerable Number of Seamen in readiness for the Lake Service, that I can now only repe[at] my request, that you will for the reasons I have before alledged, leave as many as possible in Canada, & that, particularly the Frigates of which I wrote lately may remain, as they can furnish in the greatest Proportion and our own wants will be as great or greater the next Campaign as they have been this, it being my intention, in order that our Possession of the Lake may be put to no hazard to build another Vessel of equal Force to the Inflexible. I am Sir [&c.]

P.S. The inclosed Paper will more particularly inform you, what Number of Seamen will be required, & in what manner it is supposed they may be supplied G.C
(a true Copy) R^d Pearson
[Endorsed] No 9 In Lord Howe's Letter of the 15 Jany 1777