Whereas by our Commission dated the 15 of February last, We have appointed your Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed and to be employed in the River St Lawrence and along the Coasts of Nova Scotia, the Islands of St John and Cape Breton, and thence to Cape Florida and the Bahama Islands; Your Lordship is hereby required and directed to repair forthwith to Portsmo where you are to take under your Command His Majesty's Ship the Eagle, whose Captain is directed to obey your orders; and hoisting your Flag on board her, put to Sea with the very first opportunity of Wind and Weather and proceed down Channell; and, when you get Twenty Leagues to the Westward of the Lizard your Lordship is to open the inclosed sealed Packet, and put in execution the Instructions you will find therein contained for your further proceedings. Given &c the 4t May 1776 Sandwich Palmerston H Penton
To The Right Honbe Richard Lord Viscount Howe, Vice Admiral of the White, and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed and to be employed in the River St Lawrence and along the Coasts of Nova Scotia, the Islands of St John and Cape Breton, and thence to Cape Florida and the Bahama Islands. By & P:S: