Sir,

Having received their Lordships orders of the 4t Inst: with several paper refered to therein, on the morning of the 5th, I set out immediately for this Port, and embarked on board the Eagle yesterday. Commodore Hotham being then on the point of sailing from St Helens with the Transports &c under his conduct, I did not interrupt the execution of the orders he was under, to inform myself concerning the General [Leopold Philipp] Heister's Instructions & Intentions with respect to a suitable arrangement of the Naval Force to be hereafter employed under my command, in case he should see occasion to disembark the Troops in presence of an Enemy upon his arrival on the Coasts of America. Being in other respects ready to proceed to Sea pursuant to their Lordships orders of the date before mentioned; It becomes requisite for me to represent to their Lordships, that the King having been most graciously pleased to appoint me One of His Majesty's Commissioners for restoring Peace to his Majesty's Colonies & Plantations in North America, and for granting pardons to such of His Majesty's Subjects there now in Rebellion as shall deserve the Royal Mercy: I am therefore to request their Lordships explanatory directions, whether I am at liberty to postpone my departure in consequence of their pressing order as aforesaid, now become necessary for the purpose of that Commission until His Majesty's further pleasure therein hath been duly signified to me. 2 I am Sir [&c.]

Howe