Sir,

My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty aware of the necessity there is for your being apprized of the place of your destination before you sail from Spithead in order that you may issue to the several Captains & Commanders of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels under your command as well as to the Masters of the Transport Vessels & other Vessels under your Convoy, directions to what place they are to proceed in case of separation, command me to acquaint you that their only motive for sending to you their Instructions (which you will . receive by this night's post) sealed up with Orders ー not to open them til you get Twenty Leagues to the Westward of the Lizard, is merely that those Instructions may come to your hands unopened; And that, therefore, notwithstanding their directions to the contrary you are at liberty to open those Instructions immediately after you receive them, the better to enable you to fix a Rendezvous in case of separation, and to give such other Orders as shall appear necessary; taking care however to keep those Instructions a profound secret, and to issue the Orders you may give in consequence sealed up, with very positive and strict injunctions to the parties concerned not to open the same except in case of separation and being under a necessity for so doing. I am &ca. PhP Stephens 2