Sir ー

By his Majesty's Ship the Cerberus, which Arrived here yesterday, I had the honor to receive your Orders of the 25th December directing me to proceed in the Ship I command to Virginia, to take the command of his Majesty's Ships and vessels on that Station, and employ them as I shall find best for the Kings Service, which I shall lose no time to obey.

Enclosed is a list of the Letters and Orders I received at the same time. I am [&c.]

[Enclosures]

List of orders and letters received from Vice Admiral Graves commander in chief &ca &ca &ca

An order dated 25th December 1775 to put myself under his command: General and additional Codes of Orders and instructions of the same date.

Four press Warrants; Two restraining Acts of parliament past last Session, with an order to put them in execution, dated the 25th december; Letter of the same date, enclosing his Majesty's Proclamation of the 23d August last, an Order dated 25th December not to proceed to England upon the requisition of the Governor of any of his Majesty's Provinces; A Letter of the 25th december enclosing one from Lt Mowat of the 9th of the same Month containing intelligence to be communicated to the Captains serving to the Southward, Memdum concerning the Masters being allowed whole Pilotage; a form of a Weekly account: Given under my hand on board his Majesty's Ship the Roebuck at Halifax the 4th January 1776.

A S Hamond