[Enclosure.]
Captain Cook to Lieutenant Shank.

Whereas you have signified to me by your letter of this date that your ill state of health will not admit of your proceeding on our intended voyage, and desire my leave to quit, so as to enable you to return home, and the surgeons of his Majesty's sloops Resolution and Adventure are of opinion that your request is not only reasonable, but absolutely necessary for the restablishment of your health, you have my leave to quit accordingly, and am, &c.,