Having appointed you Captain of His Majesty's Ship Pearl at Portsmouth which we have order'd to be fitted & stored at that place for a Voyage to North America Mann'd with Two hundred Men & victualled for six Months with all Species of Provisions except Beer, of which she is to have as much as she can conveniently stow and to be supplied with a proportion of Wine or Spirits for two Months in lieu of the remainder; You are hereby required and directed to use the utmost dispatch in getting her ready for the Sea accordingly, and then proceed to Spithead and wait for further Order.

Given &c. the 8th. of Novr. 1775

By &c. P.S.