Hon^ble Gentlemen—

The present serves to inform you that Cap^t Brown who has the Dolphin wishes to be excused from taking her as his owners have directed his return in the Mars which belongs to them; Cap^t Brown hopes you will not misinterpret his Desire, and says that if you choose he will continue, but if the Change will not displease you he wishes she may be given to some other man. Her new mast is gone alongside and they are getting it in; while the Dolphin stays here she is very usefull to keep our men together, as they can not appear on board the Frigate, and it would be very expensive & inconvenient to keep them on shore, I should therefore be glad if she were not to sail 'till the Lion is ready: Or if you think to sell her she may possibly be put off.—Please to return the french Captains Conditions¹ as soon as signed. I have the Honour to be [&c.]

The 1000 Fuzils from Dunkirkare arrived & answer the model exactly, but the Lighter that brought them up to Town unfortunately Sunk so am obliged to unmount and clean every one of them.