My Lords,

In my Letter to your Lordships of the 22d January, I signified to your Lordships His Majesty's pleasure, that, if upon the arrival at Isle aux Coudres, of the Armament destined for the relief of Quebec, the Commander of His Majesty's Ships should learn that the Town was taken by the Rebels, he should in that case not proceed higher up the River, But as it appears upon further Information that, notwithstanding that Event, is might possibly Assist the Operations of the Army that is to follow, if this advanced party was to proceed up the River as near to the Town as the Ships can lye with safety; It is therefore His Majesty's further pleasure, that the Commanders of the said Ships now going out be Instructed to use their own discretion in this case, and according to the Intelligence they receive, either to continue at the place of Rendezvous, or to advance higher up as they shall think will be most advisable for effectuating the Object of this Expedition, and either giving relief to Quebec.or forwarding the Operations of the greater Force that is to follow.