(a Copy)

Sir, You are to embark in the Empress of Russia armed Transport, commanded by Lieutenant John Bourmaster, who after receiving on board one Subaltern and a Detachment of Marines, will sail from this Port under Convoy of the Scarborough Frigate: on a Signal from her, when got to Sea, you are with the Diana Transport to proceed with the utmost dispatch to the West Indies, and use your Endeavours to join the Admiral, or Officer Commanding His Majesty's Ships on the Leeward Station, presenting my letter, and communicating to him these my Instructions.

If on your arrival in the West Indies you should find any of our victualing Ships with plentifull Stores on board, you will purchase three hundred Puncheons of Rum, engage Seamen for the Transport Service, not exceeding one hundred, upon best Terms you can, procure twelve good Carriage Guns, with any thing necessary for the equipment of the Diana, and return with all possible Expedition to this Place, taking the Convoy of a King's Ship who may have the Victualers under her Protection. If you cannot confide in the Activity and Conduct of the Master of the Diana, and should succeed in getting her manned and armed, you will apply to the Admiral for a proper Officer to take the Command of her to this place.

Should you not hear any Intelligence of our Victualers, you will first apply to the Admiral, or Officer of the Navy commanding, for Provisions of all Species from the Naval Stores, as far as they can be spared without endangering the Want of it to the Squadron. If with the Supply from them, and the Rum aforementioned, you can purchase as much Salt provisions, Pease, Oatmeal, and Oil, as will lade both the Transports, you will also in that Case return immediately to Boston.

But failing in this, you will attend to the Principal Object by lading the Diana with what provisions you can procure from the Navy, or by Purchase, together with Rum, and Order her for this Place without loss of Time, observing that unless she can be well manned and equipped for Defence in every respect, you do apply to the Admiral, or Officer of the Navy commanding, desiring a Ship of War to see her safe into this Port, which is a request contained in my letter to him ー

After taking into the Empress of Russia all Stores that the Diana cannot receive, you will proceed to St Eustatia to complete the remainder of your Commission as to the Purchase of Salt Provisions, Pease, Oatmeal, Oil, and the engaging of Seamen, for all which purpose you will receive from Captain Mackenzie Bills drawn by the Deputy Pay Master General on the Right Honble Thomas Harley and Henry Drummond Esq rs for £10,000 made payable to yourself or Order, to be accounted for on your Return as the Bills may Sell. You will also be punctual in sending advice to those Gentlemen as often as Payments are made.

You will not fail to be attentive to the behaviour of the Detachment put on board the Empress of Russia under your Command, and to do every thing in your Power to facilitate the Service wherewith you are charged. But above all considerations I recommend Dispatch, without which we shall reap but little advantage from your Expidition. ー

I wish you a Successful Voyage, safe Return, and am with due regard, Sir, &c,