(A Copy)
By James Young Esqr Vice Admiral of the Red; and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels at Barbadoes, and the Leeward Islands &c:
Whereas I have received an express from Boston, with a dispatch from Major General [William] Howe, Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Forces in America, wherein He represents to me, His strongly apprehending that the King's Army under His Command may be greatly distressed for want of Provisions &c; should no Supplies speedily arrive there, and sundry Victualing Transports intended for supplying the King's Army in America, having been blown off that Coast in bad Weather are put into this Island in distre&S: amongst which the Killingworth Victualer, Thomas Powditch Master, and the Layton Victualer, Robert Johnson, Master are now refitted.
You are therefore hereby required and directed to take urider your Care and protection, said Two Victualing Transports, the Killingworth and Layton, and Convoy them forthwith to Boston: on your arrival you are to put yourself and said Victualing Vessels under the Command and Orders of the Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships at that Port: and deliver the dispatches you will receive herewith as directed. You are strictly required to make no delay whatever in executing this duty, and take notice, that your Activity herein may prove of the utmost importance to His Majesty's Service, as perhaps the preservation and safety of the King's Army at Boston may depend on your Success: You are immediately to Compleat the Vipers Provisions &c. to three Months from the Layton Victualer, and should she need water may stop Ten hours at Old Road St Kitts to take on board a Supply; but are on no Account to make a longer stay at that place, or any other; for which this shall be your Order.
Given under my Hand at English Harbour Antigua; the 9th February 1776
Jams Young
To Captain Samuel Graves
of His Majesty's Sloop Viper.
By Command of the Admiral Geo: Lawford.
