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Sir  I am to acknowledge your Letter of the 1st Instant, and observe what you say regarding the Removal of the Symmetry; You are the best Judge whether she with your Lieutenant to Command her, or the Scorpion (which I am told has no cover) will be of most use in her Situation, untill you have a Twenty Gun Ship to put in her Station, but you will consider that the Symmetry is a hired Ship, in the Service of Government and the Owner should not have cause to Complain that she has received Damage in a Service She is not hired for, and for which reason the Officer must be Answerable for every thing belonging to her.

I can't pretend to interfere in your Department, or to give any Orders in a Service of which I have little knowledge, and you so well acquainted with

I am with Regard and Esteem. Sir &ca.