I have recieved a letter, which I presume I may consider as coming from yourself—proposing that your son, of 4. years old only may recieve the appointment of a Midshipman. after acknoleging my sense of the kind disposition manifested in the name given him, it is my duty to observe that the earliest period at which midshipmen are recieved is about 10. years of age, when they have learned to read, write, and the first rudiments of arithmetic. until that period therefore nothing of this kind can be done. Accept my salutations and respects.