I have recd yours of the 1st Instant. Although it is my wish to afford every comfort and assistance in my power, to an officer who has suffered so much in the service as you have done, yet I cannot, with propriety, indulge you in the request you make of being permitted to go for a time into the sea service. It would introduce a practice not warranted in any Army, and would lead to numberless applications of the same nature, tho perhaps not so well grounded as yours appears to be. I am Sir yr most obt Servt