note: transcription publicly contributed - please contact us with comments, errors or omisions

16
Halifax January 2nd 1792.

Gentlemen

His Majesty's Council having referred your Letter to the President of the 30th of Decemr. requesting that an assistant Surgeon to the one sent out by the Sierra Leone Company, may be appointed and sent with the Fleet from hence; We are instructed to inform you that the president would be happy to comply with your request, from a conviction of the utility of such a measure; but His Majesty's principal Secretary of State not having authorized the incurring any such Expense on the part of Government, the Council cannot advise it nor the president take upon him to incur any additional Cost to Government on that account.

We are etc.

Mr. John Clarkson
&
Mr. Lawrence Hantshorne