Whereas we think fit that three Vessels² shall be purchased for His Majesty, to be employed under your command; You are hereby required & directed to cause three of the best Schooners, Sloops or Brigs you can procure to be purchsed for His Majesty accordingly, upon the best & cheapest terms you can, directing the Naval Officer at Jamaica to draw upon the Navy Board for the expence attending the same.

And whereas we intend that the said three Vessels shall be registered on the List of the Navy by the Names mentioned in the Margin & that they shall be commanded by Lieutenants, You are to call them by those Names and to appoint Lieutenants to command them accordingly.
Badger
Porcupine
Racehorse

You are to cause the said Schooners to be Armed, fitted, Victualled & Stored in a proper manner for the Service on which they are to be employed & Mann'd with Forty five Men if they are capable of mounting Ten Guns and with Thirty Men if capable of mounting only Six Guns agreeable to the annexed Scheme, directing the Lieutenants you appoint to command them to take charge of and Indent for the Provisions Stores & Ordnance that may be supplied to them, and to account for the same according to the rules of the Navy, the better to enable them to do so & keep their Books properly. We have allowed them an Instrument under the title of Clerk & Steward. And also a Boatswains Mate, Gunners Mate & Carpenters Mate; to assist in the several branches of Duty to which they are adapted. Given &c 14th. Feby 1776³

By &c GJ. D.S.

Complement of the Schooners to be purchased called the —

1 Lieutenant to command		at 5s/ p Diem
1 Masters Mate 1 Midshipman 1 Boatswains Mate 1 Gunners Mate 1 Carpenters Mate 1 Surgeons Mate 1 Clerk & Steward 1 Servant to the Lieutenant		To be allowed Sixths rates pay
And the remainder to be Seamen

[Endorsed] Duplicate signed C. Spencer — Lisburne — H Palliser