By &c
Whereas we intend that the Ship you command together with His Majts Ship Proteus which will be ordered to call off Plymouth to join you & whose Commr Capt Robinson will be directed to obey Your Orders, Shall proceed forthwith into the River St Lawrence with such Transports Storeships, Victuallers & Trade bound thither as he may bring with him from Spithead and with any other Ships or Vessels which may be ready & willing to accompany you So soon therefore as the Proteus arrives which you will know by her Commr hoisting a Jack at her Foretop Gallant Mast head; You are hereby required & directed to put to Sea & taking the said Ship under your command & such Transports Victuallers & Trade as are abovementioned under your Convoy make the best of your way consistent with their security with them into the River St Lawrence and having seen them as far as the Isle of Bic, you are to direct Capt Robinson to proceed to Quebec with the Ships & Vessels going thither &upon his arrival there to Deliver the inclosed Pacquet to the Senior Captain for the time being of His Majs Ships & Vessels in the abovementioned River & follow his orders for his further proceedings, And you are to make the best of your way in ~he Ship you command to New York (calling however at some convenient 1Place in your way to Wood & Water if you find it necessary) when you are to deliver to Vice Adml Ld Visct Howe the Pacquet you will also receive herewith addressed to him, And putting yourself under his Lordships Command follow his orders for your further proceedings.
You are to be very attentive to the Ships & Vessels which proceed under your Convoy; keeping them together by every means in your Power and upon no Account leaving them upon pretence of their not sailing fast enough to keep Company with You as we expect that in the course of your Voyage you accomodate Your progress to that of .the worst sailing Sailing Ship amongst them
You are at the same time to take all possible care to prevent the said Ships & Vessels from separating from you, and to give their respective Masters such Orders & directions as you judge most conducive to that end, And in case (notwithstanding these precautions) any of them shall part Company with you or disobey your Orders You are to transmit to our Secretary a List of their Names with the circumstances attending such seperation, And disobedience that such measures may be taken thereupon as shall be judged necessary. Given &c 1st May 1777
Capt Mackenzie ー Lizard ー Plymo
By &c PS
Sandwich
Lisburne
H. Palliser