You are hereby required and directed to take the Transports mentioned in the inclosed List bound to Annapolis, Windsor and Cumberland, under your Convoy, and proceed with them with all possible Dispatch to Annapolis Royal, where leaving Lieut. [John] Bourmaster's Division under the direction of that Officer, you are to proceed with the rest to Windsor, and either remain there yourself or go on to Fort Cumberland Harbour, as you shall upon Inquiry find best for his Majts. Service. And whereas the purpose of sending these Transports is to procure forage and Cattle for the Garrison, You are to take the utmost Care to guard them from all Attempts of Pyrates, and to give every Assistance in your power in order that they may return time enough to make another Trip before the Winter Season is too far advanced. And whereas I have ordered Captain [Edward] LeCras to send the Tartar to Annapolis to take such Vessels as may be ready and proceed with them to Boston you are not to pay any further regard to the Annapolis Division after you have seen them safe there, but bestow your whole Care upon those intended for Windsor and Cumberland. And to enable you the better to perform this Service, you are hereby required and directed if you meet the Halifax to take her under your Command, If not I shall send her after you the moment she arrives.
You are to procure every Information you can of the Rebels Designs and to do your utmost to defeat them, and you are hereby required and directed to take, burn, sink and destroy all and every Vessel of whatever Construction you meet armed, or evidently intended to be used against his Majesty's Forces by Sea or Land, or against any of the Colonies in obedience to his Majesty's just Authority.
In case of your meeting the Hope or St Lawrence Schooners, who also have Convoys, you will give their Commanders such Orders as you think best for the Service, but I would have the Hope return to Boston immediately.
You are to continue with the Windsor and Cumberland Divisions of Transports until they are laden, and then return with them to Boston.
Given under. my Hand on Board his Majs. Ship Preston at Boston the 22d. August 1775.
