Whereas you have informed Us by your Letter of the 29th of last Month that Mr Robert Grant, who is under Contract with you for supplying His Majestys Ships at Nova Scotia, New England & Virginia with Sea Provisions and also at Nova Scotia with fresh Beef has represented to you that the disturbances in America have stopt the communication between the Colonies, and reduced every place to depend on its own produce & what may be sent from Europe; And that in consequence thereof the prices have risen so much that he cannot at the Contract Prices (without a very great loss) make the necessary Supplies for the said Contracts. And has therefore proposed continuing to make the abovementioned Supplies upon Commission; And we thinking fit to try the effect of Mr Grants said proposals do hereby require & direct you to employ him in furnishing Sea Provisions to His Majestys Ships at Nova Scotia New England & Virginia & fresh Beef to those at Nova Scotia until further Order, reporting to Us upon a proper experience of the aforesaid Plan of supplying His Majestys Ships in those parts how you find the same to Answer & whether you think it advisable to continue it.

Given &c 3d Jany 1776

By &c G J DS