Dr Johnson

Yours of the 22d Inst came Safe to hand, till wch You was in my debt, & beleave me it is with Pleasure I recd Yours, the Corespondance is not yet broke between us, therefore let this be A Caution to You, take care You dont neglet or forget me, & rest assured I will with Plea­sure write my friend Johnson & let him know how matters go with me — I have now the Pleasure to informe You of my being appointed to A Frigate now on the stocks at Nantes, Mountg 24 twelve Pounders on her Gun Deck, 8 fours on Qutr deck & 2 sixes on fore Castle & am gettg all the Men I possably can for her, she will be launched by Contract in A fort­night from this, Capt Tanner who goes out my Master is shipg Men for me at Nantes, if You have any to spare You may know where to send them, Mr [Arthur] Dillaway I have made A Lieutt. Capt Wickes's Lieutt of Marines [John Elliot] is made Capt of Marines for my Ship, I hope You have sent my VaDemacum to Nantes, as it woud be of great use to me, Pray dont let what I wrote You about my Ship go out of Yours, as it is as yet A secret at Nantes, the People we ship there dont know what Ship they are for, I have been Ill with a fever for three or four Days, owing to Fatugeing myself by Constantly Danceing & rompg with the Ladys; Adieu I am Dr Johnson [&c.]