You are hereby required & directed in case His Majts Sloop the Ranger is not sailed from Plymouth Sound, to direct her Commander to remain there until he receives further Order & to cause her Provisions to be completed to Six Months of all Species except Beer of which she is to have as much as she can conveniently stow & her Stores to a proper proportion for Foreign Service; holding himself in constant readiness for Sailing. Given &c 2d March 1776

Sandwich J Buller H Palliser

To John Amherst Esqr Vice Adml of the White &c &c at Plymouth By &c PS. By Express