Sir,

The King having judged it expedient to direct that there should be a change in the destination of the Five Regiments of Infantry, vizt 17th 27th 28th 46th & 55th now under Orders for immediate embarkation from Corke; I have it in command from my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to signify their direction to you that, notwithstanding any former Orders, if all the Five Regiments shall be at Corke at the time you receive this, you order the Masters of the Transport Vessels in which the 27th Regiment shall embark, to proceed directly and land the said Regiment at Halifax; and that you proceed with the Transports. having the other Four Regiments to Quebec if it be possible to get up the River so as to land the Troops at that place; but if on your arrival off the River St. Lawrence you find it absolutely impracticable to proceed to Quebec, you are, in that case, to order the Masters of the Transports having the 17th Regiment to proceed and land it at Halifax; and you are with the Transports having the other Three Regiments (after procuring what Intelligence you can at Halifax or by any other means whatever, where the Army under the Command of Generals Gage or Howe shall be) to proceed without loss of time to join it.

If the 27th Regiment should be sailed from Corke before these Orders arrive there, you are then to direct the Masters of the Transports with the 46th Regiment to proceed from thence directly & land the said Regiment at Halifax; and to proceed yourself with the Ships having the remaining Three Regiments to Quebec if possible.

If three of the said Regiments should be sailed before you receive these Orders, then of the remaining two Regiments, That which has a Colonel or the Senior Lieut. Colonel (if no Colonel) being to embark for Halifax, you are to give Orders to the Masters of the Transports to proceed and land the said Regiment accordingly; and to proceed yourself with the Transports which are to carry the other Regiment to Quebec. I am &c.

Duplicate sent to Ireland to be forwarded by the Lord Lieutenant.
Triplicate sent by the Wolf Sloop from Falmouth.