my mess has been very Expensive as we have been in bad places for procuring supplies, and always two or three and sometimes more Supernumerarus [supernumerarius] Passengers or Visitors, Lord Spencer. A son of the Duke of Blandford's has for some time been A mess mate of ours — he is A midshipman of about 19 years of age & A very fine young man, going out to Join the Superb — this will be sufficient to give you A hint of the Expense that must attend us, I have paid all together about 16 or 17 at different times Exclusive of Agents Charge since coming to sea — I wrote to my Brother by H.M. Brig Recruit who carries the Dispatches to England —

Previous to our sailing I had the unpleasant task of appearing as principal Evidence upon A Court Martial where the Prisoner / one of our men / was condemned to be hangd at the yard arm for knocking A man off the fore yard, about two months before, in consequence of which he died the same evening & happening to attend the decease at the time, heard some Expressions In Consequence of which I was calld — the Court Marshall was held on board La Roque — the hono.^b Captⁿ Capel Presiding & 6 other Port Capt^ns — the Prisoner was however in consequence of some favourable Circumstances Recommended to the Admiral for mercy & left on Board the Guard Ship —

We are losing men here every day with the Dysentery or Flux as the Water is extremely unwholesome & the Fruit Green the Former of which I never taste without destroying its bad Qualities by Boiling or Otherwise, & the latter I never taste when Green — So that I enjoy / Blessed be God / A most Perfect state of health more so both here and at Bahama than in A Climate like Halifax, Excepting that I am greatly tormented with Prickly heat which is only A Temporary Complaint well known in the West Indies & other hot Climates & may be compared to the Itch only that the Patient feels no Effects of it in A cool shade upon Deck, or in A free air at sea, whether we are now proceeding & in the Course of an hour small be at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay So that I Expect Every minute to see the Signal hoisted for Parting Company with the Espoir I might therefore Seal and look for an opportunity of sending on Board I must therefore Conclude with love to my mother sister & Brothers &c &c &c I remain Your Dutiful Son John Fox

[written down left side] PS have the Goodness to write every opportunity & direct to the Chesapeake which will be our head Quarters