“Sir,
“Your letter to me at Leith was sent to me here. I take the earliest opportunity to thank you for your offer to expedite my views respecting the erecting a monument to the late Lord Melville. It had been long in contemplation with myself and some other sea officers here, and we took our resolution to try its success upon the paying off the fleet, in hopes that the Navy alone might furnish the funds to make one of a suitable grandeur to be placed on the top of Arthur’s Seat, a hill in the middle of the county his Lordship so long represented, and which is seen from more than half the counties of Scotland, and a considerable way into the sea also, and a leading feature to ships entering the Frith of Edinburgh. How far these expectations may be realised as yet we have not had time to ascertain, as a great part of the fleet is still in commission; but I believe a very favourable disposition has been shown as far as it has gone; and I have certainly done all in my power to forward its publicity.
“The Captains of my squadron here have subscribed
from five to three guineas a-piece, Lieutenants one, and several others a
week’s pay; in short, as it is a matter entirely voluntary, I do
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“If I should, however, not be able to raise funds enough in this way, I shall certainly have recourse to a more extended subscription, rather than give up the idea of placing it on Arthur’s Seat; and it will most certainly be a gratifying thing to my feelings, were you to be instrumental, through your paper, in forwarding this object, which I believe your former letter has already done to a certain degree, as several officers spoke to me, who had read it, and highly approved of the suggestions it contained.
“I am, Sir,
“Your most obedient and
“Very humble Servant,
