Whereas it is of the greatest consequence to His Majesty's Service that the two Ships named in the Margin[*], which are laden with Cloathing for the use of the Army under General Howe, & the fifteen Victuallers also named in the Margin[**], laden with Provisions for the use of the Fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Lord Howe, should be safely convoy'd to New York; You are hereby required and directed, as soon as the said Ships are assembled at Spithead to take them under your convoy and proceed to Sea with the first opportunity of Wind and Weather, and make the best of your way with them to New York accordingly, taking all possible care yourself, and giving the most possitive Orders to their Masters respectively, that they do not lose Company with you.

And whereas we have directed the Navy Board to appoint Lieut Henry Colins and Mr William Essington a Midshipman of the Navy to go on board the Catherine Cloathing Ship, Lieut Robert McEvoy & Mr Richard Rouse Mate of the Experiment to go on board the Richmond Cloathing Ship, with Instructions to superintend the navigating them, to explain to their Masters the Convoy Instructions and Signals, and in case of separation to direct the Ships proceedings agreable to the Rendezvous and Orders you may give them, and in conjunction with the Officers commanding the Troops put on board them, to assist in defending them against the Cruizers of the Rebels in case they should be attack'd; You are hereby further required and directed to give Lieuts Colins & McEvoy such additional Instructions as you shall judge proper for the purposes aforemention'd.

Having seen the said Ships in safety and joined Vice Adml Lord Howe at New York, you are to deliver the inclosed Packet to his Lordship & put yourself under his command, and follow his Orders for your further proceedings

The Elephant Storeship commanded by Lieut Benjn Bechinoe which is lading Naval Stores in the River for the use of the Fleet under the command of Vice Adml Lord Howe, being intended to proceed in Company with the Mermaid to New York, in case she can be got round to Spithead before you are ready [to] sail from thence, you are to take the said Storeship under your command (Lieut Bechinoe being directed to obey your Orders) in case she arrives at Spithead in time, but you are not to wait for her after you are ready to sail.²

And in case there should be at Spithead any other Ships or Vessels than those beforemention'd bound to North America whose Masters are ready & willing to accompany you, you are to take them also under your Convoy and see them in safety as far as your way and their's may lay together. Given &c. the 31t Augt. 1776.

Sandwich H. Penton H. Palliser

By &c.