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answer to a circular letter from the Admiralty, dated July 30th, 1817, this officer wrote as follows:–

In 1800, Mr. Layman was promoted to the rank of lieutenant; on which occasion he made an application to the Earl of St. Vincent, which was thus replied to:–

“I desired Captain Grey to assure you, that I should be happy to have you in the ship with me; and, if there is nothing to detain you longer ashore, by shewing this letter to the captain of any ship of war under my orders, coming to this rendezvous” (before Brest), “you will be sure to receive all the attention due to your character, and the very laudable zeal which inspires you to serve under the auspices of

(Signed)“.”

On joining the Earl’s flag-ship, Lieutenant Layman presented to his Lordship a plan for building a ship of the line and a frigate annually at Bombay, which was soon afterwards ordered to be carried into execution. He also suggested,