Sir,

I most respectfully beg leave to inform you that my Lord Commifsioners [sic] of the Admiralty have been pleased to sign a Commifsion [sic], promoting me to the Rank of Commander in Her Majesty's Fleet, pursuant to an Order in Council, dated the 30th January 1816, and kindly granted me a Pension of Eight shilings and six pence a day.

The Commifsion [sic], which I received the 6 Dec. is dated the 14th day of November 1870; and this is also written on it "To take effect from the 28th July 1870."

If, Sir, I am to understand by this that my [intend/intend/interm??] pay to the amount of 5 pounds per day is to take place from the 28 July last. I shall be greatly obliged by being forwarded to me Authority to draw for past season for the Quarter on day the 31 December 1870. and also for 6 pounds per day from the 28 July to the termination of the preceding Quarter 30 Sept. 1870, lefs [sic] five shillings fee for Commifsion [sic].

I can be known to be

Sir
Your very humble servant ['most obedient' crossed out]

Thomas Baker /a/

Commander Royal Navy

J.P. Collier, Esq.
Paymaster General's Office
Whitehall, London