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London June 15th. 1797.
My Lord
The situation in which I stand I hope will excuse any impropriety in thus intruding myself on your Graces more important engagements: But seeing that the pressure of Public Affairs, may have causd my late request to escape your Grace's recollection, I humbly hope, that my inducement to repeat that request, will be accepted, as some apology for thus trespassing on your Lordship's patience by a repetition of what I trust will not appear importunate, but in some measure pardonable.
I have already had the honor of giving your Grace a detailed statement of my services in the Navy from the Year 1770 to 1788, viz ten Years as a Midshipman; & eight years as a Lieutenant, during which time, I served in the East Indies, America, & on the Home Station: - in all which Stations I was so fortunate as to meet the approbation of my Superiors.
In February 1788 I was appointed by Captain Phillip, then Governor of New South Wales, to settle & command on Norfolk Island, where I remaind until March 1790, when I was sent to England with Dispatches: During my command I receivd Governor Phillips repeated approbation of the exertions that has been made, & on my arrival in England, I found his Majesty had been pleasd to appoint me, Lieutenant Governor of Norfolk Island, and soon after, I was honord with the Rank of a Commander in the Navy - My stay in England was
His Grace the Duke of Portland
&c. &c. &c.