Captain Cook to Secretary Stephens.

Please to acquaint their Lordships with my repairing to his Majesty's sloop Resolution, under my command, yesterday, that the intended alteration go on with great alertness, and that I shall not only forward them but take every other step to put the ship in a condition to put to sea with all possible expedition. I beg leave also to acquaint you that since the ship came alongside the jetty a stranger came into the yard who knew her in the merchant service; he, with great confidence and some warmth, asserted that at that time she not only was a stiff ship, but had as many other good quallities as any ship ever built in Whitby. This tends to refute some false suggestions that have been thrown out against her. I can only assure you that there does not remain the least doubt but what she will gain every wished for purpose.

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