Sir

I am much obliged to your Excellency for your information concerning Mr [Edward] Parry, Agent to the Contractor for supplying Masts and Timber for his Majs Navy. I do not recollect Mr Parry verbally desiring my Application to your Excellency to grant him a License to cut Masts and other Timber in the Kings Woods; I am sure he made no such request in writing; In either case I should readily have wrote to your Excellency for that purpose.

As the Rebels in general seem determined to distress his Majesty's Service by every Means in their Power, tho' eventually to their own Ruin, and those within your Excellency's do not think fit to allow the Masts already cut to be under care of the King's Ships, Mr Parry's Confinement during the Rebellion will be no great Prejudice to the King's Service although perhaps disagreeable to himself I am &c.