Captain Cook to Secretary Stephens.

The Commissioners of the Victualing were pleased to inform me some time ago that his Majesty's sloops Resolution and Adventure were to call at Spithead to compleat their proportion of spirits and wine. I beg leave to acquaint you that they are already so full of provisions, stores, &c., that it will be next to impossible for them to take in any more spirit, and that they have sufficient of this article to last untill opportunity offers to take in more, when they will have room to stow it away; and as they can be supply'd with port wine at Plymouth, I am numbly of opinion that the touching at Spithead will be attended with loss of time, and that it will be more adviseable, and attended with less delay, for them to call at Plymouth to take in their wine, party of marines, and to be paid two months' pay advance.