Sir. I entreat you will acquaint my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that it has given me the greatest Concern to perceive by Mr [George] Jacksons Letter of the 20th February last, their Lordships had been pleased to approve all the appointments I had made in Consequence of Captain Gordons Dismission, except that of Lieutenant Young to Command the Pomona; and that their Lordships added "I had therein acted Contrary to the rules of the Service; and also to my Instructions; as He was youngest Lieutenant on board the Ship:" It is true my Instructions Say "that in case of the Death, or Dismission of an Officer by Sentence of a Court Martial; I am to appoint such persons to the Vacancies as by the Quality of their Employments ought to Succeed thereto" this I take to be a Master and Commander to the Vacancy of a Post Captain, and a Lieutenant to that of a Master and Commander; And in the present Instance, I think I have Strictly complied both with the Words and apparent meaning of my Instructions: and altho I did not appoint the first Lieut. of the Portland, to this Vacancy in the Pomona; I cannot allow the same to be contrary to the Rules of the Service; as there are many precedents (and some of a very late date) where the Commander in Chief having a Son in the Fleet, has given him the preference of promotion to the first Lieutenant of the Flag Ship, and when the same was done in fair and proper Vacancies, I never before heard that such appointment had been set aside by their Lordships: I therefore flattered myself, Forty four Years faithful Service might have intitled me to the same distinction which has been allowed to other Commanders in Chief; in favour of my Son, and I cannot help thinking myself Cruelly used, to be the only person fixed upon for so Mortifying a Disgrace: besides to add to the uneasiness of mind I must naturally feel at having my Son thus Superseded; the Man their Lordships have appointed in his room, had the indecency to tell me (as soon as I delivered his Commission) He should now bring an Action at Law against me for Damages; as he had lost Prize Money by my not appointing him at first; this he triumphantly declared in publick to be his Intention; grounding his Plea, on their Lordships disapproving my appointment of another: I cannot indeed Suppose their Lordships will suffer such Indignity to the Service, as a Subaltern Officer bringing an Action at Law against His Commander in Chief, for not giving him promotion; if so, hard indeed will be the fate of Superior Officers, who in publick Service, must often do what may be displeasing to Individuals under their Command; and should they be Subject to prosecution from Malicious Litigious persons for any thing done in the line of publick Service, there must soon be an End to Subordination.

It is certainly a very unpleasing Circumstance for a Commanding Officer, to find himself thus braved by an Inferior when He is not Conscious of having done wrong: I have therefore inclosed herewith My Sons Commission for the Pomona and earnestly entreat their Lordships will be pleased to Confirm it, by putting him on the List of Masters and Commanders from the date thereof; and I hope my own long Service may plead for me in this matter, and obtain the distinction for my Son I now Solicit.

I have delivered the Honble Mr Windsor their Lordships Commission to be first Lieutenant of the Portland; and have appointed Mr William Swiney late third Lieutenant of the Portland to be Second Lieutenant, and removed Mr John Auriol Drummond, Second Lieutenant of the Argo, to be third Lieutenant of the Portland, and appointed Mr John Luck to be Second Lieutenant of the Argo in the room of Mr John Auriol Drummond, which I hope their Lordships will approve. I am Sir [&c.]

[Endorsed] Recd 25 July  7 Aug Ammend