Sir

The West India Merchants having upon an Attendance on my Lords Commrs of the Admty desired that Convoys may be appointed to proceed to England on the 15th May, 20th June, and 1st of August; I am commanded by their Lordships to signify their direction that you appoint Convoys to be ready on those days accordingly directing the Commanding Officers of such Convoys to accompany them till their arrival in England; and in this they are pleased to recommend that you proportion the strength of the Convoys you appoint to the number of the Ships they are to take under their Care.

My Lords observing that the Fleet which sail'd last for England assembled at MoranJt insitead of Blewfields they command me to signify their further directions that you inform them of the Reasons with [sic which] occasioned it and that you order the Convoys to assemble and depart from Blewfields in future.

And they are likewise pleased to direct that you Order the Commanders of the several Convoys to proceed with the Ships they have in charge through the Gulph instead of coming through the Windward passage, their Lordships being of Opinion, that in so doing, they will be less liable to fall in with any American Cruizers waiting to intercept them. I am &c P S
Vice Adml Gayton at Jamaica
By the Packet the same day —
Duplicate sent 8 Feb By the Aeolus