Sr.

I received & communicated to my Lords Commrs of the Admty your Letter of the 17th Novr enclosing one you received from Mr Strode Purser of the Argo desiring your leave to return to England on his private Affairs also a joint Letter from him & Mr Lawford Purser of the A polio requesting their Lordships permission to exchange Ships for duty and informing them that you have given Mr Strode leave to come home & appointed Mr Lawford to do Duty as Purser of the Apollo 2 And in return I am commanded to acquaint you that their Lordships cannot approve of Officers Exchanging Ships for Duty upon such reasons as are mentioned in Mr Strodes Letter, And that they have therefore signed a Warrant confirming Mr Lawford Purser of the Argo and also One appointing Mr John Bell late Purser of the Squirrel to be Purser of the Apollo; and ordered Mr Strode to be put on the List of Candidates for Purserships &c G Jackson D S. By the Seaford Duplicate by the Shark.