Sir

The West India Merchants have applied to my Lords Commiss!s of the Admty for the protection of their Homeward bound Trade, and their Lordships having sent directions to Vice Adml Gayton Commander in:Chief of His Majesty's Ships & Vessels at Jamaica, to appoint Convoy to see the trade from eighty to one hundred Leagues Clear of that Island, to Vice Adml Young Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships & Vessels at Barbadoes & the Leeward Islands, to appoint Convoy to see it, from eighty to one hundred & Twenty Leagues clear of Anguilla; And my Lords being desirous that the Trade, should have every Protection that can be given to it, they therefore command me to signify their direction to you (in addition to those aforementioned) that you order the Captns of such of His Majesty's Ships and Sloops under your Command as you shall think fit, to cruize occasionally off the Bermuda Islands, and in the Tract of the Homeward bound

West India Trade, with Instructions not only to use their best endeavours to secure the Trade of His Majesty's Subjects, but to take or destroy any Rebell

Cruizers they may happen to meet with in those parts. I am &ca

By the Canceaux