Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Letter received by John Fowell from Newton Fowell, 27 March 1787
MLMSS 4895/1/9

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Sirius at the Mother Bank
March 27. 1787.

Hon'd Father

I Rec'd your Letter some time ago and should have answered it before but was in hopes of giving you some Intelligence about sailing but am sorry we have not heard a word about it. Cap.t Philip is still in London and we dont know any thing of his coming down to join the Ship but don't care how soon as I am all Ready and the sooner we sail the better, The Transports have joined us from Plymouth so we have but small hopes of going there but still I hope we shall be at Torbay which will be almost the same - I had a Letter from my Mother on Sunday which I shall answer by this Post. I intend from this time to keep all the Letters I Receive and a copy of all I send.
I like the Sirius and all the Officers very well Capt Hunter is a very agreeable man at [Table?] as well as on Service he at Present Messes in

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the Gun Room where I have dined several Times. The first Leiut Name is Bradley he has had a Letter from Capt Ellison who has Recommended me to him by Mr Nicoll's Request he is very civil to me and says Cap.t E. is the only man he cares a farthing for so I suppose he will be very good to me on that Account. The Second Leiut. Name is King he is one of Taunton and I beleive Mr Nicolls wrote to him about me he is also very Civil and good to me. The 3 Leiut Name is Maxwell he was with Cap.t H. when he was 4th Leiut of the Berwick and Mr M 3d but that was before I went in her he is a very good Officer and has been very good to me, In short, I have had Civilities shown me than I could expect from People who are Strangers to me - so I live very happy. As to my Mess I cannot say much of as at Present we have not laid down the Pence, but I have put 12 Guineas away for that Purpose, all my Messmates seem very agreeable. I have seen Capt Bickerton since I wrote you last he seemed

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very glad to see me and gave me an Invitation to dine with him on board the Sybil which I shall do in a few days. I beleive, I never mentioned to you my Aunt P. gave me a Writing Desk when I was in Town it is made of Mahogany she likewise filled it with Paper Ink Pens &. it is very like Cap.t Ourry's - I saw my old Messmate Cunningham the other day he belongs to the Hyæna, the Honble Capt De Corsey it is Reported she is going with us as far as Teneriffe to bring home Dispatches, I have not yet heard of Jacobs, nor Widdicombe, they have been Smoaking some of the Transports lately, I beleive they are rather sickly - If you Recollect when I passed there was a young man turned back his Name was Candlar he was going out in this Ship but is now in the Kings Bench Prison for debt. Give my Respects to Capt and Mrs Ourry and Dr & Mrs Birdwood and Compts to all the Club - my Love to my Brother and am
Hon'd Father
Your dutiful Son
Newton Fowell

I am in great Haste as there is a Boat going

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on Acct. of the Officers of the Sirius

John Fowell Esqr
Black Hall
So Brent
Devon
March 27 1787