[Copy]
Sir

I should have made an earlier reply to yours of 17th June instant had I not expected that Yesterdays post would have brought me letters from Congress that would have determined the time of my departure. these letters however, have not Yet Appeared - so that I remain in a degree of Uncertainty. — I think myself obliged to you for the preference which you give me by expressing a desire to Sail under my Command — You have my thanks for that Offer. — the Ship in Question being by accounts one of the finest Frigates in France and being intended for a Service which even my wishes could not exceed — must be Officered by Gentlemen of the first natural and acquired abilities. — the necessity of being thus particular is evident, altho' it hath been too little attended to in our Service. — for the Abilities of Sea Officers ought to be as far Superiour to the Abilities of Officers by land — as the nature of a Sea Service is more complicated and Admits of a greater number of Cases than can possibly happen on the land: so that the disciplin by Sea ought to be so much the More more exact and Regular.

As I shall ever regard the good of the Service in preference to the Situation of the particular Ship under my Command — I disdain the Idea of enticing any person to quit·the Ship to which they Immediatly belong in the Service — I do not at present see the propriety of your quiting the Hampden without a special Order from the Honble Committee or from the Deputy Board here Established — especially as you are the only Officer whose Commission is for that Vessel. — I would give yourself and the other Officers and Men encouragement equal to their Merit and Abilities provided they were fairly disengaged from Other connections — but, I determin to come under no positive engagement for any particular high Stations without a thorough knowlidge of the persons Abilities and Superiour Merits to whom I make such Engagements. — Should any thing favourable Occur I will not fail to render you any consistent Services. — I left your Mother & Sister well in April — & am, Sir [&c.]

Lieut Geo. House of the Brig of War Hampden