Wheres His Majts Ships & Vessels intended to proceed this year from England to Newfoundland for the protection of the Fisheries there have sailed & will sail earlier, & will probably remain on that Coast later, than usual; And whereas the Service may require some of them to be left there during the Winter, You are therefore hereby required and directed to provide and ship on freight on board the first Merchant Ships bound from the River Thames to St Johns in the said Island, a proper proportion of provisions of all Species (Spirits excepted) for twelve hundred men for six months; consigning .the same to Vice Admiral Montagu Commander in Chief of His Maj ts Ships upon that Station, who will have the necessary direc

tions for the disposal thereof, Given under our Hands the 21st .March 1776 Sandwich J Buller H: Penton By &c G: Jackson DS