Whereas Lord George Germain, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, hath, by his Letter of Yesterday's date, signified His Majesty's Pleasure that the Transport Vessels having on board the 2d Division of the Hessian Troops, the Regiment and Artillery of the Prince of Waldeck, the 16th Regiment of Light Dragoons, the Remount Horses for the 17th Regiment of Light Dragoons, and the Draught Horses for the Baggage and Artillery of the Army, as also the Transports named in the Margin[*] having on board 402 German Recruits and two Officers, should proceed under proper Convoy to join the Army under the command of General Howe, with all possible dispatch; and whereas we intend that His Majesty's Ship under your Command together with the Lark, Ambuscade, and Unicorn (whose Commanders are directed to follow your Orders) shall proceed with the said Transport Vessels to the place of their destination: You are hereby required and directed to take His Majesty's said Ships under your Command together with the several Transports abovementioned (Lists of which you will receive from their respective agents who are likewise directed to follow your Orders) and, so soon as they are assembled at Spithead and ready to sail, You are to put to Sea with the first opportunity of Wind and Weather and proceed according to the secret Instructions which you will find contained in the inclosed sealed Pacquet.

And it being intended that the Transport Vessels named in the Margin[**], which are to receive on board at Chatham and Dover British Recruits for the army under General Howe, shall also proceed under your Convoy, in case they arrive at Spithead before you are ready to sail, You are accordingly to take those Transport Vessels under your Convoy in case they arrive in time, but not to wait for them after the other Vessels are ready.

You are likewise to take under your Convoy the Victualling Ships named in the Margin[***] which are now at Spithead an[d] any others that may arrive before you sail, as also any Storeships or Victuallers belonging to the Navy, Ordnance, or Treasury Departments, that are to join the Fleet under the command of Lord Howe or the Army under the command of General Howe, and also other Vessels bound to North America that may be ready and willing to accompany you; transmitting to us, before you sail a List of the names of all the Ships and Vessels under your Convoy with the names of the Masters, and the number of Troops or the nature of the Lading, they have on board.
And we having givendirections for the Jane Transport laden with Waggons and Stores for the use of the Army under General Howe, to proceed from Plymouth to join you at Spithead You are to take her also under your Convoy in case she arrives in time or you should meet with her in your way down Channel.
Given &c the 22d June 1776.

Palmerston Lisburne H. Palliser

By &c G:J: