By Clark Gayton Esqr Vice Admiral of White & Commander in chief of His Majesty's Ships & Vessel's Employ'd & to be Employ'd at & about Jamaica &ca —

Whereas I have received a Letter from my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty concerning His Majesty's Ships under my command that I appoint to see the Trade of this Island home to England, to give particular orders to the Captains of the Ships I send, to be particularly carefull to keep company with the worst Sailing Merchant Ships under their Convoy, and if any of the Ships in the Trade goes faster than the rest & does not keep Company but leaves the Convoy and will not obey the Signals made to them, you are to find out the Ships & Masters Names that leave the Convoy, and acquaint the Secretary of the Admiralty therewith for their Lordships information

You are therefore required & directed to take under your Command His Majty's Arm'd Ship the Kent Captn Jos. Tathwell (who has my orders to put himself under your Command) and all the Trade bound from this Island to Europe, and proceed with them thro' the Gulph of Florida to England, On your Arrival at Spithead you are to acquaint the Command­ ing Officer there, and the Secretary of the Admiralty for their Lordships information. You are to be careful} to obey your orders to keep Company with the worst going Ships for which this shall be your order

Given under my hand on board His Majesty's Ship Antelope in Port Royal Harbour Jamaica 14 June 1777 —

By Command of the Admiral (A Copy)