Having appointed you Commander of His Majesty's Sloop the Resolution at Deptford which we have order'd to be sheath'd, filled, fitted and stored at that Place for a Voyage to remote parts, Mann'd with one hundred and twelve Men agreable to the Scheme hereunto annex'd and victualled for twelve Months for the said Complement, with all Species of Provisions except Beer of which she is to have as much as she can conveniently stow; You are hereby required and directed to use the utmost dispatch in getting her ready for the Sea accordingly, and then falling down to Galleons Reach take in her Guns and Gunners Stores and proceed to the Nore for further Order.
Given &c. the 14th Feby 1776.2 Captn. Cook, Resolution, Deptford. " Clerke, Discovery, Deptford, By &c. G.J. D.S.
Sandwich J. Buller H. Palliser
1. PRO, Admiralty 2/100, 412, 413.
2. Ibid., a similar order was sent to Captain William Shackerly of the Fireship Strombolo at Sheerness, with a crew of 45 men and victualed for six months.
