Letter written by Thomas from HMS BOSTON at Hamoaze in Plymouth, to his sister Miss Mary Thomas in Southampton. In the letter he mentions his desire to pass his lieutenancy examination in London. He writes ‘I think my hard service on a foreign station entitle me to a commission, but the doors of promotion w’d not be opened (I believe) by such a representation.’ He also talks about his height, writing that the sea air has ‘allow’d me to sprout up to 5 foot 7 or 8 inches’.