Document signed by Josiah Burchett (c.1666-1746), Secretary to the Admiralty (1694-1742)

Chasing progress with the refitting and revictualling of the NORWICH, CHATHAM and SHEERNESS at Portsmouth, and urging speed with the refitting of the YORK when at Woolwich. John Brackley, late Surgeon of the DREADNOUGHT, is to join the MONMOUTH. Admiral Mitchell has complained that Storeships entering and leaving ports are not informing the Commander-in-Chief of their intentions so that he can provide convoy escorts. A particular example is the PURVEYOR currently at Portsmouth as referred to in an accompanying extract of a letter.