By the Viscount Howe Vice Admiral of the White and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed and to be employed &c. in North America.
The Commander in Chief of the Land Forces in these Provinces, having desired that a Convoy may be provided for the several Transports as specified in the enclosed List, those destined for Nova Scotia being attended by the Agent Lieutenant Chads who is directed in the present Conduct of them to follow your Orders; you are to prepare to take them under your Convoy; and when they are in every respect ready for the Sea, to proceed with them the most speedily, for the Port of Halifax.
Having, upon your arrival there, delivered to Sir George Collier the Senior Officer in the Command of His Majesty's Ships on that Station, the Letter you will receive herewith; you will be discharged from any further concern with the Transports which are to remain in the Province of Nova Scotia; to take under your Convoy, in addition to those proceeding with you from this Port for Quebec, (which are to be the objects of your particular care) such others having the same destination, as Sir George Collier shall point out. And you will be thereupon to repair immediately with the said Convoy through the Gut of Canso, to Quebec. Your own Experience of the Navigation, and your zeal for the King's Service, will direct you in the choice of the safest and most expeditious means for effecting the passage up the River St Lawrence with the Transports, as Circumstances will admit.
When the Officers and Recruits, with the Stores embarked in the Transports sent from this Port, have been landed at Quebec, as the General Sir Guy Carleton or other Commander of the Land Forces present shall appoint; The William and Mary Transport is to proceed for England, according to the Orders which the Master has rece[ived.] The Milford, Integrity, and Ann, are to take onboard the Forage or other Necessaries which the Commissary General residing there, h[as] provided for this Army to be conveyed to New York. And as it is probable that the Operat[ions] upon the Plan already concerte.d for the Northern Army, will have been commenced prior to your Arrival, which renders any change in the Direction of the Maritime Department devolved upon Captain [Richard] Pearson, unnecessary You are therefore to leave him in the Execution of the Instructions you will be herewith charged to deliver, or forward to him, upon your Arrival at Quebec: Unless from any peculiarity of Circumstances, it shall be deemed requisite upon the Generals request, for the Ship under your Command to be detained on the same occasion. You are otherwise, as soon as you shall have received Sir Guy Carletons Dispatches for the Commander in Chief of the Army in these Provinces, and that the several Transports have been made ready as aforesaid, to return with them to this Port for further Orders: Being however at liberty to call at Halifax in your passage, for any supply of Stores or other Assistance which the State of the Ship at that time may require.
Given onboard His Majesty's Ship the Eagle off New York the 12 day of April 1777.
To Capt: Cornth: Ommanney
Commander of His Majesty's Ship the Tartar.
By Command of the Vice Admiral Jos: Davies.
(A Copy.)
