(Copy)
By James Young Esqr Vice Admiral of the
Red, and Commander in Chief of His
Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed, and
to be employed at Barbadoes, and the
Leeward Islands, and in the Seas adjacent.
Whereas the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have directed me to appoint Convoys for the Protection of the Homeward bound Trade, from these Islands: You are hereby required and directed to compleat the Victualling &c: of His Majesty's Sloop Shark under your command to three Months; and forthwith proceed to St Johns Road Antigua; and make known to all Masters of Merchant Vessels bound to Great Britain or Ireland; whose Ships or Vessels are now ready for Sea; that you are appointed to Convoy them: and direct the Masters of said Vessels to put themselves under your Command, and obey such Orders and directions as they may receive from you; and to take especial care they do not loose Company with His Majesty's Sloop Shark; You are to Sail from St John's Road the 2d May, with such Merchant Ships as are then ready; and proceed with them to Basse-terre St Christophers; at which place You are also to collect and take under Your Orders and Protection all such Merchant Vessels bound to Europe, as may assemble there by the 8th day of May next; at which time You are to Sail with the Trade for Europe, under your Convoy; and on no Account to remain there longer. The Sylph Sloop is directed to bring the Trade from the Southern Charribbe Islands to St Christophers and to be at that place by the 4th May; You are immediately on her arrival to direct Captain Dacres to proceed without delay to the Island of Tortola, and collect such Merchant Vessels belonging to that Island as are ready to proceed to Europe: and conduct them off the Island of Anguilla: and the[n] Cruize with them 'till you arrive with the General Convoy from St Kitts; and then to join You, and proceed to the Northward, until he can fetch the Island of Antigua, when you are to suffer him to part Company, in order to join me at Antigua; and are to take the whole Trade under your Convoy, and make the best of your way with them to Spithead; and you are strictly required and directed to take all possible care on your part, not to seperate from the Ships and Vessels which may put themselves under Your Convoy, and to give such Orders and Instructions to their Masters, as you conceive may be most likely to prevent their seperating from You: and in case any of them do loose Company with you, or disobey your Orders; You are to transmit to the Secretary of the Admiralty a List of their Names; with the Circumstances attending such Seperation, or Disobedience of Orders. On Your arrival at Spithead, You are to acquaint the Secretary of the Admiralty therewith; sending him a List of all such Vessels as come under your Convoy: with Remarks on the behaviour of their Masters during their Voyage: and also transmit Him the Public Dispatches you will receive from me: for which this shall be your Order.
Given &c the 28th April 1777.
