Copy of a letter written by Banks to Mr Say, 'the printer of the Gazetteer', June 1772 (Series 06.002) - No. 0003

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stronger than was necessary, that the top of this same round house, was literaly thicker than the deck on which the guns stood: nay so palpable was this, that a man who had a small share in purchasing the ship, tho I beleive none in the Job, remonstrated to the Comptrouler of the navy from whom he receivd forant wer that it was very true but it was all by against so absurd a proceeding as it then appeard to all who did not know the final intention of it.
When by all these alterations the ship was renderd unfit for the sea these very people who had so dirtily undermind Mr. Banks; orderd the ship to be reducd  to her former situation state declaring that the alterations were all made at Mr Bank's desire: that they had cost goverment  the monstrous sum of £14000: that the ship was still good enough for him; tho