Having appointed you Captain of His Majesty's Ship Seaford at Portsmouth which we have order'd to be fitted & stored at that place for a Voyage to North America mann'd with One hundred & fifty 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 [orders].

Given &c. the 9th. Novr. 1775

By &c. P.S.