You are hereby required & directed to take His Majesty's Armed Vessel the Kent under your Command, her Commander being directed to follow your Orders; And, the taking under your convoy all such Trade bound to the West Indies, as may be at Cork ready to sail, you are to put to sea with them, the very first opportunity of wind and weather, and make the best of your way, consistent with their security, towards the places of their destination, & having seen to Barbadoes such part of the said Trade as may be bound thither, you are to proceed with the remainder to Antigua, where you are to deliver to Vice Admiral Young Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels at Barbadoes and the Leeward Islands, the inclosed pacquet addressed to him, and to follow his orders for your further proceedings.

But in case the Vice Admiral shall not be there you are then to direct Captain [Joseph] Tathwell to make the best of his way to Jamaica with the Trade bound to that place, and having seen them thither, to deliver to Vice Admiral Gayton Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships employed at and about that Island, the inclosed pacquet addressed to him, and to follow his Orders for his further proceedings, And you are immediatey after Captain Tathwell's sailing from Antigua, to proceed in quest of Vice Admiral Young wherever he may be, and upon joining him to deliver the pacquet which is addressed to him, and to follow his Orders, as above directed. Given &c the 25th December 1776.

By&c PS.