[Admiral John Markham, Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty and First Naval Lord.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J Markham') to John Atkins, regarding the 'general drunken habits' of 'Mr [Miles] Burn', and the impossibility of reinstating him 'to his rank'

The letter is 1p, 12mo, and is accompanied by the covering 8vo leaf, addressed to 'John Atkins Esqre | Duke Street | Westminster', with a second signature for franking. The covering leaf is endorsed: 'Admiralty August 21 1806 | Adml. Markham concerning Miles Burn that it would be impossible to get him reinstated'. Both letter and covering leaf in good condition, lightly aged and worn, with fold lines. Markham could hardly be more decisive. The letter reads: 'My Dr Sir | Your attempts I am sure will be in vain to get Mr Burn restored to his rank[.] The Evidence is very strong indeed as to his general [last word underlined] drunken habits, and the instances, render him for ever incapable [last three words underlined] of serving His Majesty his heirs or Successors'. At the foot of the page, apparently written at a later date: 'I wrote on a scrap of paper written on the other side which I did not see when I wrote this'.