S^r:

My Lords Commiss^rs. of the Admty having received a memorial from the Merchants and Proprietors of the Island of Tobago representing the defenceless State of that Island, and complaining that the Aurora, which sailed from England in Novem^r: last, under orders to be stationed there, for its protection and security, had not appeared upon her Station on the 30^th of March, altho’ she arrived at Barbadoes the beginning of January,¹ and therefore praying that more effectual Measures may be taken for the future Protection and security of the said Island: I am commanded by their Lordships to send you herewith the said Memorial and to signify their direction to you to enquire into the Cause of the Aurora’s not proceeding to the station allotted to her by their Lordships, or why some other Frigate was not sent in her stead when she was diverted from that service, and to report by the first opportunity the result of such enquiry.

I have it further in command from their Lordships to signify their direction to you, to take care that for the future not only the Aurora or some other Frigate of equal Force, but also a Sloop, be constantly stationed at and about the said Island of Tobago for its protection and security, and not withdrawn from thence upon any account until others are sent to relieve them, And that you may be the better enabled to allott a Sloop constantly for that service, you will herewith receive an order from their Lordships for the purchasing of four, as soon as You can meet with them. You will observe that the Memorialists point out Bermudian built Sloops as best adapted to the service abovementioned, which their Lordships recommend to your attention in the purchases you are to make.² I am &c.