We understand by your letter of 15 November, that the ST LEWIS of St Malo, lately taken by the MEDWAY and brought into Portsmouth, is a ship of about 460 tons burthen, about 4 years old and indifferently well found and qualified to serve His Majesty as a man-of-war of the 5th Rate. You are directed to buy the ship on the best terms you can and have her fitted as a man-of-war of the 5th Rate for Channel service. You are to solicit the Lords of the Treasury for money to buy the ship and to report your opinion to us what number of men and number and nature of guns will be proper for her.