Captain Cook to Secretary Stephens.

Please to acquaint my Lords Commiss'rs of the Admiralty with the arrival of his Majesty's sloops Resolution and Adventure at this place late in the evening of the 28th of last month, and that having taken on board as much wine as they can conveniently stow, I intend to put to sea again this evening. Least it is thought that the tryal made of the Resolution between Sheerness and Plymouth was not sufficient to form a just judgement of her qualities, and the clamour raised against her not yet subsided, I beg leave once more to assert that so far from finding her crank, I find her remarkable stiff, and to have as many other good qualities as can be found in one ship, and Captain Furneaux is equally as well satisfied with the Adventure. In point of sailing they are well match'd; the little difference is in favour of the Resolution.