Transcription

Barfleur Staten Island New York Octr. 31. 1782 My dear General I give you a thousand thanks for your very obliging letters by the August & Septr. Pacquets, and feel myself most highly and honorably distinguished by the Mark of Confidence and favour the King is graciously pleased to give me, by placing Prince William under my care, on board the Barfleur, but am well aware, how very important the charge is, as well as of my being unequal to it, however, of this you may be assured, that I will be diligent and attentive to His Royal Highness well doing in every respect, in order to make up, in the best manner I am able tho want of abilities, and what I receive from Admiral Digby and Mr Majendie, will be a great Guide to me.I agree most perfectly with you, that it would be highly advantageous to Prince William, to have a Lieut. of character, judgement, and skill in his profession, and not greatly beyond His Royal Highnesses age, as a constant associate; but if Admiral Digby could not find one, it would not I think have been amiss for the Admiral to have left the naming of such an officer to me; indeed I am free to confess, that from the observations I have been able to make and which I have done with a very attentive eye, it would have been rather better. Admiral Digby’s sending a Captain with Prince William does not fully meet my approbation, and I very frankly told him so, and I said the same to Mr. Majendie, but told the former at the same time, I should readily receive whomsoever he should think proper to send. Captn. Napier I understand is the officer pitched upon, I believe he is a man of much integrity & honor, and one I may safely confide in, but I am desirous that in the officer of integrity, should be joined a lively understanding, with some knowledge of the world, such a person was I think to be found in Captain Cryke, of whom as well as of Captain Napier, I have but little [[catchword]] knowledge [[/catchword]]