Sir,

I beg your Excellency's Pardon for not sooner Answering your Letter of the 28th but I immediately ordered Captain [John] Robinson to arrange the Transports for their greater Security.

I expect the Merlin in every day, when the Scorpion now in the Light House Passage shall take the Symmetry's Birth. In the mean time, if your Excellency consents, I will send a Lieutenant to Command the Symmetry, who will prevent the irregularities complained of and carry on the Service that Mr Dickinson from his Situation, cannot do ー And If 'tis likewise agreeable to your Excellency he shall remain in the Symmetry until I can place a Twenty Gunship there, which I would rather do, than the Scorpion who, at present, I do not think sufficiently strong for that Service.

If your Excellency is of my Opinion: I will give The Lieutenant to Command the Symmetry any Orders Your Excellency shall think necessary, or he shall be directed to receive them immediately from Yourself as your Excellency shall think best for the Service. I have the Honor to be with great Respect Sir, [&c.]