From Peter Puget, Commissioner's Office, Madras, to the Navy Board, London. Dispatch...

From Peter Puget, Commissioner's Office, Madras, to the Navy Board, London. Dispatch 180. It is the intention of Vice-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, Commander in Chief East Indies, that the harbour at Trincomalee be used as a refitting port for HM ships. The bad health of William Pitt, Master Attendant here, makes it necessary he should return to this Presidency. Accordingly I have recommended to the Vice Admiral that William Taylor, late Acting Naval Storekeeper, instead of taking up the duties of agent of the Naval Hospital, go to Trincomalee to succeed William Pitt. The Vice Admiral sanctioned this suggestion and Mr Taylor will discharge those duties until I receive your contrary instructions. Suggest his proposed salary with reasons. The Vice Admiral also agreed John Johnson, 1st Clerk to the Acting Naval Storekeeper, Penang, should be appointed pro tempore as agent of the Naval Hospital here instead of William Taylor. Make suggestions on his pay. Has nominated his Coxswain, David Rogers, as an Assistant or Clerk of the Issues to the Acting Naval Storekeeper at Trincomalee, as William Taylor cannot discharge at the same time his own duties and issue stores to ships refitting there. Ask for this arrangement, and the pay proposed, to be approved. Remarks on the problems with the natives of Ceylon and that our Coolies and Carpenters are unwilling to move to Trincomalee from Madras. John Seward, acting Naval Storekeeper at Penang needs to return to England to recover his health. William Taylor has always given his unqualified support.

Enclosure.