Sir

Having received your Order to hold myself in perfect readiness for proceeding to Sea with the Empress of Russia Transport, it becomes incumbent on me to inform your Excellency, that by death and Sickness and the number of her Crew that have entered on board the Kings Ships, She is so reduced in her strength that she cannot be Navigated from Port to Port without assistance. I am therefore to beg that you will be pleased to represent my situation to the Admiral and request him to supply me with Twenty Seamen for the above mentioned Ship.

I have the honor to be with the greatest Respect [&c.]