Sir

Lord George Germaine having in his Letter of the 22nd of Last Month signified His Majts Pleasure that you do as soon as conveniently may be, place one of the small Ships of your Squadron upon the Station of Pensacola, and that you do also procure and fit out, a proper Armed Vessel, drawing about Six feet Water abaft, and mounting two 4 Pounders, and two 3 Pounders, to be stationed in the Lakes Ponchartrain and Maurepas, in order to intercept any Craft that may attempt to Pass through that Channel, with an intention to Commit Hostilities in West Florida, I am commanded in Pursuance of His Majts Pleasure aforesaid to Signify the direction of my Lords Commiss: of the Admty that you do Comply therewith accordingly, & that you do to this end purchase a Proper vessel answering the description aforementioned as soon as may be observd & following such farther Directions with respect to the Manning fitting & victualling her as contained in an Order from their Lordships of the 14th Instant and Registering the Vessel you shall so purchase by the Name of the Florida. 2 I am farther commanded by their Lordsps to direct, that if at aq.y time you receve Intelligence of West Florida being invaded by the Rebels, you do in that Case immediately send such part of your Squadron to Pensacola for its Relief and Protection as can be spared from the Necessary Services of the Jamaica Station, I am &c.

G Jackson D S. Vice Adml Gayton ー Jamaica by the Boreas Duplicate by the Maidstone