My Lords,

Having laid before the King Your Lordship's Letter to me of the 11th instant, on the subject of the Steps it may be advisable to pursue, in case of any Attempt by the Rebels upon West Florida; It is His Majesty's Pleasure to recall the Orders upon that head, contained in my letter to you of the 6th instant, and I am to signify to you His Majesty's Commands that Rear Admiral [Clark] Gayton be instructed that he do, as soon as conveniently may be, place one of the small Ships of his Squadron upon the Station of Pensacola, and that he do also procure, & fit out, a proper armed Vessel, drawing about 6 foot Water abaft, & mounting 2 four Pounders & 2 three Pounders to be stationed in the Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas, in order to intercept any Craft that may attempt to pass through that Channel, with an Intention to commit Hostilities in West Florida.

It is also His Majesty's further Pleasure that Rear Admiral Gayton should be instructed that, if at any time he should receive Intelligence of West Florida being invaded by the Rebels, he do in that case immediately send such part of his Squadron to Pensacola, for its Relief & Protection, as can be spared frnm the necessary Services of the Jamaica Station. I am & ca