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R A Sept 17
(Autograph draft of letter to Capt Bligh by Sir J Banks)
Mr dear Sir
It gives me serious concern to Learn from your last favour that the plan of keeping NSW under a Naval Government has been abandond & thus you are expected to go out there as a Civilian. I think I cannot be mistaken in beleiving that this arrangment has taken place since Camden left the office, at least I am Quite sure that no intimation of any such intention was made to me when I undertook to look Round & try to think of a proper Person fit to take Charge of the Colony
Had I been aware that the naval Command was not to be continued to the Governor, in the same extent as it had on all former occasions been intrusted to Philip Hunter & King & had I not perhaps speculated as I clearly had on your Rank as next Captain making it likely that still more would be instrustd to you in the naval Line than was done to Govr. King in the last appointment. I certainly should not have recommended you to Quit your ship for the appointment. I am well aware of the value of your talents in arranging Naval Service & would never have advisd you to take any a step which might may I fear in a future occasion be interpreted by the Admiralty into a deriliction of your [indecipherable] of a Flag. which I fear th
I trust however that if this is a cabinet arrangement & cannot be alterd that so much positive at Least will be done to you as to preserve entire your claims to Future Promotion which in the Case of Governor Philip has actually taken Place. Duncan knew the value of your Conduct in action tho he did not choose to Praise it & Ld Nelson not only knows how you conducted your ship when it lay alonside of his Lordships at Copenhagen, but will not omit any opportunity of giving you Credit for the Briskness of your manouvers & the Effect