Whereas Lord George Germaine One of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, has acquainted Us, by his Letter'-... the 4th of last Month, that it is the King's intention that every effort be made to send relief to Quebec, And whereas we intend that the Ship you command shall take on board one Captain, one Lieutenant one Ensign & Ninety four private Men part of the 29th Regiment doing duty at Chatham & proceed on this Service, You are therefore, after having embarked the said Troops which you are tq bear on a Supernumerary List for Victuals at two thirds allowance, hereby required & directed to put to Sea without loss of time; And in pursuance of His Majestys farther pleasure signified by another Letter from Lord G. Germaine dated the 22d of last Month make the best of your way to the Isle aux Coudres in the River St Lawrence, observing if upon entering the Gulph of St Lawrence you find the passage through it impracticable on account of the Ice, to make the nearest & safest Port, watching with great attention the earliest opportunity of proceeding upon your Voyage.
Upon your arrival off Kameraska you are to use your utmost endeavours to procure intelligence from the Inhabitants of that Parish of the state of Quebec And if you learn the Town is still in His Majestys possession you are to use your utmost efforts to get up to the Bason or as near as possible contriving all practicable means of sending intelligence to Major Genl. Carleton of your arrival and of the relief which may be expected {particulars of which will be explained to You in a Letter from our Secretary) And also desiring his advice and directions with respect to such farther steps as it may be proper for you to take: But if on the contrary you should learn that the Town of Quebec has been taken by the Rebels, you are to remain at the Isle aux Coudres, making it a place of Rendezvous & there land the Troops you have on board if you find you can protect them until the arrival of a larger Body of Forces which are to sail from Ireland early in the Month of March.
But if notwithstanding this last mentioned Event, as the nearer approach of the Ship you command to the Town might possibly assist the operation of the aforesaid Army, you are in obedience to His Majestys further Pleasure, signified in Ld G. Germaines Letter of the 12th Inst to proceed with her as near to the Town as she can lye with safety; observing, however, that your continuing at the Place of Rendezvous or advancing higher up is left to your discretion, not doubting but you will act herein as you shall think most adviseable for effectuating the object of giving relief to Quebec, or forwarding the operations of the greater Force that is to follow.
If upon your arrival at Isle aux Coudres you shall find there are any of His Majestys Ships whose Captains are Junior to you you are to take such Captains under your command, directing them, & not failing to give every assistance in your & their power for the relief of the Place not only upon the plan laid down by these Instructions, but in every other way which the same can be rendered.
You are on no account to suffer the Piiots to be landed; but so soon as you find either the Ship you command or the others which may join you, are in such situations that they can be spared you are to send them by one of the Frigates to meet the expected Army & thereby make them farther serviceable in bringing up the Ships which have the same on board.
You are to inform yourself by every means where Intelligence can be gained, if any of the Enemys Armed Ships are Cruizing in the River St Lawrence, and if you shall find there are such, you are to use your utmost endeavours to intercept & take them as Prizes: but not to let this interfere with your other endeavours to assist the Town which is to be your chief great object.
As your proceedings will in some measure depend on the Intelligence you receive at Kamariska or other places: You are to be cautious in the Credit you give to it that you may not be in danger of acting upon wrong information.
You are to remain at Quebec or in the River St Lawrence 'til you shall receive directions from Vice Admiral Shuldham, or the Commg Officer of
the Squadron in No America, whose command you are to put yourself under & follow his Orders for your further proceedings. Given &c 16th Feby 1776 2
Sandwich J Buller Palmerston By &c G.Jackson D.S.
