Captain Clerke to——.^*

I must beg the favour of you to acquaint their Lordships that I got down here on Tuesday night. Was busied yesterday in getting two men in lieu of two I've sent to the hospital—one with the small-pox, which was rather an unfortunate precedent; but I've exchanged the only two marines that have not had this distemper for others who have, and among the seamen there are only two who have not had it. These are two very good men, very desirous of going the voyage, and, as the contagion can go no farther, I think I may venture to go on. I shall imme-diately get under way, and proceed according to their Lordships' instructions, and hope in the course of the voyage to act in such a manner as to render myself not wholly unworthy that dis-tinguish'd indulgence their Lordships have been so good as to favour me with.