Lord Viscount Weymouth one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, having transmitted to us a Copy of a Letter which he had received from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in which it is represented that it would be of particular service to the Trade of that Country if the Commanders of His Majesty's Sloops and Vessels were directed, when they sail, to take under their Convoy any Merchant Vessels bound for Great Britain that are ready to put to Sea; And Lord Weymouth having, at the same time, signified to us, His Majesty's Pleasure that we should give such orders as we should judge expedient for accommodating the Merchant Ships from Ireland to Great Britain with Convoy whenever it shall be consistent with His Majesty's Service in other respects; You are hereby required and directed, in pursuance of His Majesty's said Pleasure whenever you come from Ireland to Great Britain to take under your Convoy all such Merchant Ships and Vessels bound the same way and willing to accompany you, as may be ready to sail, and see them in Safety as far as your way and theirs may be together. Given &c. 9 Decr 1776.

By &c P. S.