Copy.

By James Young Esqr Vice Admiral of the Red; and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed, and to be employed at Barbadoes, and the Leeward Islands, and in the Seas adjacent.

You are hereby required and directed to proceed in his Majesty's Ship Mermaid under your Command to St John's Road Antigua: and there use the utmost dispatch to Compleat the Ships Provisions to four Months Victualling for her allowed Complement: and you are directed immediately on your arrival to examine into the State and Condition of the Hired Transports now in St John's Harbour (Chartered to carry Provisions: Army Cloathing, Ordnance Stores &ca to the Kings Army at New York) and forthwith return me an account of them, and you are to order the Masters of such of the Transports as are ready to proceed on their Voyage, to put themselves under Your Command; and accompany His Majesty's Ship Mermaid to New York; and to take the utmost care they do not lose Company. And you are directed to take such Transport Vessels under your care and protection, and Convoy them ー in safety to New York, only stopping with them at Old Road St Christopher to Compleat the Mermaid's and their Water, and are strictly Commanded to make no delay whatever in executing this Service: and take especial care none of the Transports lose Company with His Majesty's Ship under Your Command, and to the utmost of your power prevent any of them being taken by the Rebels Cruizing Vessels. On Your arrival at New York you are to put yourself and said Transp[ort] Vessels under the Command and Orders of Vice Admiral Viscount Howe, or the Commander in Chief of the Kings Ships at that place: for which this shall be your Order.

Given under my hand onboa[rd] the Flora
in English Harbo[ur] Antigua the 12th March 1777

By Command of the Admiral. Geo: Lawford

[Endorsed] (No 1:) Copy of Order given to Captain James Hawker of His Majesty's Ship Mermaid ー 12th March 1777 ー

[Admiralty endorsement] In Vice Adml Young's Letter dated 2d May 1777