Letter received by John Fowell from Newton Fowell, 14 December 1786
MLMSS 4895/1/4

[Page 1]
Ardent Portsmo Harbour

Hon'd Father

I rec'd my Mothers Letter by yesterday's post, and it gives me the greatest Happiness to think you are so well pleased with my passing (as Comd.r L'Crass says) so good an Examination. it has been always my Study to acquit myself in every thing I undertake in the same Manner. I got my Shirts a few days ago, but have not yet had them washd.

I dined with Cap.t Hartwell last Sunday, he is just now come on board, he has rec'd a Letter from Mr. Hartwell of Plymouth, who has been good enough to ask my capt for leave for me to go round to the West to spend my Xmas. he has just told me he will get me a Passage in the Hebe, who is going some time next week, and I dare say,

[Page 2]
When I come Round I shall go to Mr Hartwells.

Capt Thornborough will be civil to me on my old Captains Account, as you know it was supposed he was to have Married the other Miss Le Crass. As for the Botany Bay Scheme, I like very well, but don't hear any thing of ships going out. some say it is postponed till the Spring; again I saw in the Papers of one of the Transports taking on board several Toys & to keep in good Friends with the Natives. so much for that - I have enquired of several of our Mids. who are acquainted in the Isle of White but none ever heard of Mr Vernon so I think it was a bite. I was obliged to pay 13d for your Letter altho it was Franked it was on Account of the Alteration of the [Direct?] but shall go on Shore this afternoon & enquire the Reason. I have Read Lady Mary as you call her all through & like it very well but think She as well as other Travellers stretches a point or so now & then, when I come home shall bring my Chest

[Page 3]
as Capt Hartwell says I may stay as long as I like you want to know who are the L.ts and who are my Messmates which I will tell you when I come home you don't know any of them I can only add on that subject the Gentlemen who come on board from other Ships say it must be a pleasure to be under the command of our Officers to what is is to theirs it is Supposed we have the best Officers in the Harbo. I saw one of my old ship mates the other day that was in the Ocean he now belongs to the Orestes and is going soon to Guernsey he has promised to bring me some cards & some Cambrick which I intend to send bring you when I come home a Second time. If the Hebe does not sail soon I shall come round in the Plymo Trader as one of our Gentlemen is going at the same time in her.

I have a Miserable pen so must come to a Conclusion by Please to give my Respects to Capt & Mrs Ourry & Compts to all the Rest of my Friend my Duty to my Mother & Love to my Brother and am
Hon'd Father
Your dutiful Son
Newton Fowell
14 Dec.r Thursday morn
1786 --

[Page 4]
John Fowell Esq.
Black Hall
So Brent
Devon
[Cross Post?]
Dec.r 1786