Number 29
Sir,

The Provision made by the Establishment being in my present Circumstances inadequate to the Service having more immediate Reference to the executive Duties of my Station, I have been under the Necessity of directing Captain [Henry] Duncan to officiate in the Assistant Capacity requisite for the Conduct of those executive Duties, as recited in the Order of which the Copy is herewith enclosed. It has been equally necessary in consequence to disengage him from the more particular Charge and Command of the Eagle; which is therefore vested in Captain [Roger] Curtis, an Officer well qualified for the Trust.

The Command of the Senegal has been accepted by Captain [Anthony Pye] Molloy, who was desirous to be placed in a more active Situation, as the Thunder Bomb is not in Condition for present Service. And the Care of this last will remain for the time being with the Lieutenant, until the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty shall have signified their Resolution upon the prior Appointments; Which I am to request they will please to confirm and authorise in such Manner as may be most expedient for giving Validity to the purpose thereof.

Tho' I cannot fail, from every public Motive, to be much interested in the Event [of] any Mark of Favor which the Captains Duncan and Curtis may by their Lordships' Indulgence obtain; I conceive it will be proper, in the present Instance, to confine my Application respecting the Establishment their Lordships may think fit to assign for those Officers, to the actual Necessity for such their several Appointments: Upon which I beg leave very respectfully to say, I cannot discharge the complicated Duties of my Station, without that Assistance.

I am with great Consideration, Sir [&c.]