Victory, March 14th, [1804]
off Toulon.

Young Faddy, my Dearest Emma, brought me, two days ago, your dear and
most kind letter of November 26th, and you are sure that I shall take
a very early opportunity of promoting him; and he appears to be grown
a fine young man, but vacancies do not happen very frequently in this
station. However, if he behaves well, he may be sure of me.

With respect to Mr. Jefferson, I can [neither] say nor do any thing.
The surgeon of the Victory is a very able, excellent man, and the ship
is kept in the most perfect state of health; and, I would not, if I
could--but, thank [God] I cannot--do such an unjust act, as to remove
him. He is my own asking for! and, I have every reason to be perfectly
content.

Mr. Jefferson got on, by my help; and, by his own misconduct, he got
out of a good employ, and has seen another person, at Malta hospital,
put over his head. He must now begin again; and act with much more
attention and sobriety, than he has done, to ever get forward
again: but, time may do much; and, I shall rejoice to hear of his
reformation.

I am not surprised, my dearest Emma, at the enormous expences of the
watering place; but, if it has done my own Emma service, it is well
laid out. A thousand pounds a year will not go far; and we need be
great economists, to make both ends meet, and to carry on the little
improvements. As for making one farthing more prize-money, I do not
expect it; except, by taking the French fleet: and, the event of that