[28 January, 1776] 2
Lord North has the honour of troubling his Majesty with this note to inform him that Lord Sandwich has consented with great good humour, & readiness to appoint Lord Howe Commander of the Fleet, giving a separate command to Adl Shuldham of the Fleet in the River & Gulph of St Lawrence. Lord Sandwich having just left Ld North, & being upon the point of attending his Majesty at St James's, Lord North thinks his Majesty ought to be apprized of it, as Ld Sandwich will probably mention the subject to his Majesty.
Sunday Morng
1. Fortescue, ed., Correspondence of George III, III, 338.
2. Fortescue suggests the date of February 4, 1776, for this letter. Evidence derived from the contents, as well as from Lord North's letters of February 2 and 3, however, would indicate that it was written on January 28, 1776; this letter contributed to the situation whereby Lord Howe refused to accept the appointment unless his command included the St. Lawrence.
