In-letters and orders received by the Navy Board

Enclosure: Copy of a letter from Captain Valentine Bowles of the Fireship CHARLES in which informs that his Officers are complaining about not being able to have servants entered on the ship's books. He continues by saying that his total complement already amounts to twenty and that if each Officer were to be allowed a servant he would not be able to sail the ship. He continues by saying that the former Captain did not allow it and was frequently obliged to assist in handling sail and in rowing the ship's boat himself. He concludes by saying that if he is ordered to take on servants he will attempt to make the best of it.