Whitehall, 22d January 1776
My Lords,
Having laid before the King your Lordships Letter to me, of the 15th Inst in which you desire to be informed whether any particular Directions are necessary to be inserted in the sailing Instructions to the Captains of His Majesty's Ships, under orders to proceed to Quebec, and whether some of them may not put to Sea, and make the best of their way, leaving proper Convoy for the Victuallers & Storeships; I am commanded to signify to your Lordships His Majesty's pleasure, that Isle aux Coudres, in the River St Lawrence, be the place of Rendezvous for all the Ships of which the early Fleet for the relief of Quebec, is to consist, that the Commander of each Ship be Instructed that, if upon entering the Gulph of St Laurence, he shall find the Passage through the Gulph impracticable, on account of the Ice, he do make the nearest & safest weather Port, watching with great Attention, the earliest Opportunity of proceeding upon his Voyage; that upon his arrival off Kamaraska he should use his utmost endeavors to procure Intelligence from the Inhabitants of that Parish, of the State of Quebec, and in case he shall learn that the Town is still in His Majesty's Possession, that he do exert his utmost Efforts to get up to the Bason, or as near to it as possible, contriving all practicable means of sending Intelligence to Major General Carleton of his arrival, and of the relief which may be expected, and also desiring his advice & Directions with respect to such further steps as it may be proper to take; But, if on the contrary he should learn, that the Town of Quebec has been taken by the Rebels, he is not to proceed higher up the River than the Isle aux Coudres, where, it is hoped, the 29th Regiment may be landed & continue in safety, under the Protection of His Majesty's Ships, until the arrival of the larger Body of Forces, which will Sail from Ireland, early in the Month of March. ー
What your Lordships have suggested of the Propriety of some of the King's Ships destined for this Service proceeding to Sea, before the rest, is approved by the King & your Lordships will give the necessary Orders accordingly. ー I am & ca