[Extract]

. . .the Commissary of this Port, received orders Yesterday in Conjunction with the Judge of the Admiralty not to Suffer us to depart the Port on any Consideration Whatever, without pirmission from the Minister of Marine at Paris & I have been obliged to give my Parrole not to depart without Orders —

We are now Compleatly fitted & Shall be ready to go to Sea, as soon as we Can be Suffered to take our Guns, Water & Provisions on board which will be in 4 or 5 days at furthest if not Sooner. l have endeav­oured to get liberty to Send the Dolphin round to Nantes, but Cannot obtain that favour; tho' perhaps you may at Paris.

Captain Johnson is Still at Morlaix, and in the Same Situation as I am. . .