Bristol at Spithead 24th Decr 1775
Sir
The Sphynx will be ready for Sea on Tuesday next, and the Active on Wednesday, or Thursday ー The Wind blows strong from the So Wt and I fear it will continue some days longer, should it change in our favour before those Ships are ready, I shall leave Orders with their Captains to follow me to Cork, with the utmost expedition, which I hope will be acting agreeable to their Lordships intentions ー As the Actaeon and Thunder Bomb, are now at Spithead, and we shall be ready to sail together, I shall be glad to know, whether their Lordships would have me take them under my Command here. I am Sir [&c.]
[Endorsed] approve and of his taking the said Ships under his command at Spithead