You are hereby required & directed to proceed forthwith in His Majestys Ship under your command to Spithead where we have ordered her Provisions to be completed to Eight Months of all Species except Beer of which she is to have as much as she can conveniently stow, & Stored to a proper proportion for Foreign Service; using all possible dispatch in getting the same on board & holding yourself in constant readiness for Sailing.

Given &c 10th Jany 1776

By &c G J DS

[Endorsed] Duplicate sent the next day to Portsmouth