Whereas from the present Scarcity of Provisions at Boston and the uncertainty of any arriving at this Season from Europe, it is become absolutely necessary to take every probable Step to procure Supplies for the Existence of his Majesty's Army; and General Howe having embarked 175 Marines on board the Symmetry, and Whitby Transports under the Command of Major [James] Grant of the 40th Regiment to proceed in Company with his Majesty's Ship under your Command to Georgia, where we hope the Governor Sir James Wright supported with such a force will contrive to load the said Vessels with Rice and other Articles of Provision, for payment of which Major Grant carries Cash and Bills of Exchange.
You are therefore hereby required and directed to take the Transports aforementioned under your Convoy and proceed with them and his Majs Schooner Hinchinbrook to Savannah in the province of Georgia, where you are to remain with the Transports, and give all the assistance and countenance in your power to the procuring Rice, Peas, or any kind of Provisions for the use of this Garrison. This being done and the Transports laden with as much as can be procured, you are to use your utmost Endeavours to return with them to Boston, where the Supplies you are expected to bring should if possible arrive early in March.
His Majesty's Ship Liverpool and the Kingsfisher, Otter, Tamer, Raven and Cruizer Sloops are at Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The St Lawrence Schooner is at St Augustine.
You are to seize all Ships and Vessels you meet laden with any kind of provisions, and accordingly as you may be near Rhode Island or any of the Places aforementioned, you are to carry any Ship or Vessels seized unto the nearest Port, and order one of the Sloops to proceed with her to Boston or carry her with you to Georgia, and send the Sloop on that Station immediately with such laden Vessel to Boston as you shall find best for the Service; but in this you must use your own discretion, remembring that it is of the utmost consequence to get provisions of all kinds to Boston particularly Pulse, and that no Vessel with such a Cargo however manned can be trusted without a King's Ship.
You are to raise as many Seamen as possible for the Fleet by pressing or otherwise, bearing all above your Complement on a supernumerary List for Wages and Victuals; but you are to be very careful to enter none without their being first examined by your Surgeon, to the end that his Majesty's Ships may not be incumbered with diseased or useless people.
You are to receive on board as many skilful Pilots for any part of the Coast between Georgia and Halifax as you can get, and bear them for Victuals only, until farther Order. But you are to supply any of his Majs Ships with Pilots that require them.
And whereas you will herewith receive Dispatches for the Governors of his Majesty's Provinces of East and West Florida, you are on your Arrival at Savannah to dispatch the Hinchinbrook with the said Dispatches to St Augustine and Pensacola, directing Lieutenant [Alexander] Ellis to return to St Augustine and there remain stationed until further Order in the Room of the St Lawrence, whom you are to take under your Command and bring with you to Boston; And as she is a large roomy Vessel she may be of Service in bringing Provisions hither. You will in all things act to the best of your Judgement for the good of his Majesty's Service, and as at present the principal Object of your attention is to procure a speedy Supply of Provisions for Boston, every method is to be tried for that purpose, and the greatest Care taken to secure what you may get from falling into the hands of Rebels, therefore if you find it necessary, you are to order his Majesty's Sloop Tamer or Cruizer, or both to proceed in Company with you to Boston.
You are to take, sink, burn or otherwise destroy all Pirates and Rebels, but you are not to risque any of your People in small Vessels taken from the Enemy, but, if the property clearly appertains to Rebels, to take out the whole or any part of the Cargo with the Prisoners and sink or burn the Vessel.
For all other Orders you are referred to the general and additional Orders which you will herewith receive.
Given under my hand on board his Majs Ship Preston
at Boston the 26 Decr 1775
By Command of the Admiral G. Gefferina.
