(Copy)

By Sir Peter Parker Kn^t. Rear
Admiral of the Blue &c &c

Having received information from Ja^s. Gambier¹ the Lieutenant Governor of the Bahama Islands, that the American Privateers are very troublesom, continually keeping the Inhabitants of those Islands in fear and apprehension of Invasion, and that on Monday the 26 of last Month, one Privateer² landed a large Party of Men at the West end of the Island of Providence,³ who march'd by land to the Metropolis, and took the Fort by surprizing at 2 oClock in the Morning, and turned the Guns upon the Town, then took possession of a large letter of Marque Ship⁴ lying in the Harbour belonging to Jamaica laden with Sugar, Coffee & Rum—as also some Sloops⁵—destroyed all the Gunpowder, spiked up the Guns and then sail'd for Carolina—

And Whereas the Lieutenant Governor of the said Islands has applied to me for assistance and sent here M^r. Thomas Collard to purchase Gunpowder, to replace what has been destroyed.—

You are therefore hereby Authorizd and required to receive M^r. Thomas Collard on board His Majestys Sloop under your Command and Give him a passage to Providence, together with such Gunpowder as he may have procured for the use of the said Fort, or as much of it as can be conveniently stowed in your Magazine

On your arrival at Providence you will deliver the dispatches you will receive herewith to the Lieutenant Governor, and concert with him the most probable means for intercepting and destroying any American Privateers that may be lurking thereabouts—

You will then proceed to Turks Island and co-operate with His Majestys Governor of the Bahama Islands together with the Agent, in concerting & carrying into execution such further plans and regulations as may be thought best for His Majestys Service, for the protection of His Majestys Subjects at Turks Islands, and for promoting the Salt Trade carried on there—agreeable to the Extract of a report of the Board of Trade respecting the said Islands (a Copy of which you will receive herewith) And it is recommended to you to be very particular in the account of your proceedings, that I may lay the same before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty

You are to remain on this Service as long as your provisions will conveniently last, or till you have fully answered the purposes for which you were sent there, in either case you are to make the best of your way to rejoin me at this Port—