[Admiralty Office] 5h January 1776
Sir
The Captains of His Majesty's Ships the Renown and Experiment having in their Letters dated at Fayal the 1st November last, informed their Lordships that in their passage thither they had seized five American Vessels bound to Falkland Islands on the Whale Fishery, and that being apprehensive they could not carry them in safety to Boston, they had sent them to England and put on board three Petty Officers and seventeen Seamen from the Renown, and four Petty Officers and fifteen Seamen from the Experiment. And the said Vessels having arrived at Spithead I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you therewith, and that they have directed that Twenty of the said Men (being those belonging to the Renown) be sent on board the Milford and the rest on board the Greyhound, in order to their being returned to their proper Ships upon their arrival at Boston, for which it is their Lordships directions you give orders accordingly. I am &c
Geo: Jackson D:S:
Rear Admiral Shuldham at Boston (by the Milford)
1. PRO, Admiralty 2/550, 501-02.