The Transports named in the inclosed List being appointed under the direction of Captain Payne of the Royal Irish to procure Wood from any of the Islands in Penobscot Bay, and Brigadier General [James] Robertson having furnished Captain Payne with Instructions for his Guidance, I send you a Copy thereof for your information; And you are hereby required and directed to take the said Transports under your care, and proceed with them accordingly to Long Island, or to any of the Islands in the Bay where Captain Payne and yourself shall judge most likely to procure the greatest Quantity of Wood. In order to strengthen the Convoy, and that the Garrison may not be disappointed of so useful an Article as firing, the Spy Transport is armed and commanded by Lieut. Hartwell, and the Quarter Master General adds an armed Sloop; you are to take the whole under your Command, and give Lieutt Hartwell and the Master of the Sloop such Orders as you think will best answer the end of protecting the Transports while they are taking the Wood on board.

Should it be found impossible to load the Transports in the Bay, and you find it necessary for all or a part of them to proceed to Nova Scotia, you are to see them safe out of the Bay, and order Lieutt Hartwell in the Spy to convoy them to Halifax, and when they are laden to return with them to Boston. You are then to return and cruize from Pascatagua to Cape Cod, and put in Execution my Orders to you of the 28th of last month, anchoring at Nantasket once a Fortnight for further Orders, unless any extraordinary Business should require you to come in sooner.

If any of the Transports should be laden in the Bay, you are to see them safe into Nantasket Road, and then return as above directed.

Given under my Hand on board his Majs Ship Preston at Boston the 21 Sepr 1775.