Whereas I have been informed (since the 30th August last, the date of the Order you will receive from me herewith) that the last Packet from England hath been lost in a Violent Gale of Wind at Barbadoes, but that the Mails containing the Letters She brought from England, have been saved; and are now lying at the Post Office at Barbadoes; you are therefore hereby required and directed, to deliver the Letter you will receive from me, herewith, to the Post Master at Barbadoes, and apply to him to deliver you, the Antigua Mail of Letters, which having received & likewise the Governors Answer to my Dispatch you are then notwithstanding former Orders, to return immediately, and without a moments loss of time to me at English Harbour, with said Mail of Letters.
But should you find on your Arrival at Barbadoes, that the intelligence given me is not true, or the Antigua Mail is already sent away from thence; you are then to proceed to the Island of Grenada; and fully execute my Order to you, dated the 30th August last, and in Addition thereto are hereby further required and directed in your way to English Harbour, to call in at St Pierres Bay in the Island of Martinique, and make strict search there and inquire after the Anchors and Cable left there in the Gale of Wind the 26th August last, by his Majesty's Sloop Pomona, and finding the same you are directed to take them up and receive them on board the Ship under your Command, but should you be informed, they have been already taken up by the French, you are then to apply to the Governor, to cause them to be delivered to you, and if Salvage is required for the taking them up, you are to give Bills for the Sum demanded upon His Majesty's Naval Officer at this Yard together with proper Vouchers for the same.
You are on no Account, to remain a longer time at any of the places you are directed to call at, than is absolutely necessary to execute the Business you are Ordered on; and are afterwards to use all possible expedition to join me at English Harbour, for which this shall be your Order.
Given under my Hand on board the Portland in English Harbour Antigua the 6th September 1775
By Command of the Admiral Geo. Lawford
