Sir.

From the low State of our Magazine of Provisions for the Army here, and the Hazards which Ships run in coming upon this Coast with Supplies when the Winter Season is so far advanced, I have judg[ed] it expedient to send two Transports, ² one of them Armed Commanded by Lieut. [John] Bourmaster, an Agent in that Serv[ice,] with Captain [Benjamin] Payne of the 18th Regiment of Foot, to purchase provisions in the West Indies, understanding the markets there to be very full at this time.

Captain Payne will have the Honor to deliver this Letter to you with his Instructions, ³ and I am to request your assistance by giving us a Supply from your Naval Stores, if it can be spared without endangering the want of it to your Squadron: But if the quantities you can furnish, and what can be otherwise procured, should not be sufficient to fill both Ships, Captain Payne has directions to lade the smallest, and to send her off immediately for this Place, after having provided Seamen and Guns for her Protection on her Return; and if these cannot be had, I am to beg you will be pleased to send a Ship of War to convoy her to this Port, as the early arrival of a Vessel with Provisions may be of the last Consequence to His Majesty's Service in this Quarter: The larger Transport will in this Case proceed with Captain Payne to St Eustatia, where she may Complete her Lading.

I beg leave to add, that should there be any of our Victualing Ships in the West Indies upon the arrival of these Transports at your Station, I humbly entreat you will send a Convoy with them here without suffering them to delay their Voyage, and my Transports will return with them after taking in Rum as mentioned in my Instructions.

I flatter myself the necessity of the Service may plead my Excuse to you for this Requisition and Trouble. I have the Honor to be Sir [&c.]