range in it. For four year's together — nevertheless

my dear Sam, be cautious of disobliging him; comply

with him in any respect, but that of working

along side more than you have been used to do,

for that I am satisfied, as well as you can

never answer to your real Improvement —

and sho d he be nerverse in y h respect rather than

comply, I sho d be willing to apply to the Navy

Board to get leave for you to remove to Portsmouth

or some other yard for y e Remainder of your

Time — Short as it is — but I hope for better

things than that there sho d be occasion for such a

step —

I have no Intention of making any abatement

out of your Board for absent Time — but it will

not suit me to pay the half year till Christmas

any Drains the workmen are still in my House

and the Stair case not yet quite finished, - let

me hear from you soon as I shall be impatient

to know how matters go on between you & the Builder.

adieu my dear Sam & believe me

Your affectionate Father

Jh Bentham

Q s. Sq Pla

14 Nov. r 1776