[Admiralty Office] 17th Feby 1776
Sr
The West India Merchants having applied to my Lords Commrs of the Admty requesting as the Trade from the Island of Jamaica will be constantly sailing from thence to Europe between the 25th of next Month & 1st of August that such directions may be given as will be effectual to protect their Ships in their present defenceless State against Attempts to be made on them by Cruizers fitted out by His Majts Rebellious Subjects in No America, And having further requested that such Convoys may be appointed to sail from the Island at the end of the Month of April, May & June & on the 26th July, also in October & in December observing that it will be sufficient if they see the Trade clear of the Island from 80 to 120 Leagues according to the discretion of the Officer Commanding the Convoy; And my Lords being desirous in consequence of the said Application that the Merchants be accomodated in their said request, And having with a view thereto thought fit to reinforce the Squadron under your command by the Boreas & the three Armed Vessels to be purchased in pursuance of an Order which I have now the honor to transmit to you; I am commanded by their Lordships to acquai~t you therewith & to signify their direction to you to appoint Convoys at the periods, & to order their commanders to proceed as aforementioned which their Lordships by means of the Ships & Vessels to be put under your command including the Atalanta which is to join you from the Coast of Guinea & remain they hope you will be fully enabled to comply with &c
G Jackson D S
By the Boreas Duplicate by the Winchelsea 2
1. PRO, Admiralty 2/551, 131-32.
2. Ibid., on February 20 similar instructions were sent to Vice Admiral Young at Antigua.