I am very much distressed for petty Officers as well as Warrants; my Carpenter infirm and past Duty; my Gunner made from a Livery Servant, neither Seamen nor Gunner; my Master a Man in years, never an Officer before, made from A.B. on Board one of the Guard Ships, he then keeping a publick House at Gosport: Petty Officers I have but one, who owns himself mad at times. A Masters Mate I have not, nor any one can make a Boatswains Mate. I have not one person I could trust with the Charge of a Vessel, I might take, to bring her in.

I thought it my Duty to inform you of the real State of the Ship before she proceeded to Sea. I am &c