Whereas by our Commission bearing date the 11th instant, we have appointed you Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships & Vessels em­ ployed and to be employed at & about Jamaica, & in the Gulph of Mexico from the River Mississippi to Cape Florida, And whereas we intend that, so soon as you can be spared from the Operations of the present Campaign, you shall proceed to that Island, in the Chatham if she shall be in a proper Condition, if not in the Bristol, by which you will receive this; we having sent Orders for that purpose to Vice Adml Lord Visct Howe; you are, therefore, when his Lordship shall signify to you that your Services in North America can be dispensed with, — required & directed to proceed to Jamaica, in the Chatham or Bristol, as his Lordship shall direct, accordingly; hoisting your Flag on board her — And, upon your arrival there, you are to deliver to Vice Adml Gayton the inclosed Packet, containing our Orders to him to return to England; to deliver to you attested Copies of his Instructions as Commr in Chief of His Majts Ships & Vessels on that Station, & also of all such Orders & Directions received from Us since, as may remain in the whole or in part unexecuted, & to communicate to you any Intelligence & Advices he may have received, & such particulars respecting the State & Disposition of the said Ships & Vessels as may be necessary for your Information & Guidance in carrying on the said command; And so soon as the said Vice Admiral shall leave Jamaica on his return to England, You are to take upon you the Chief command of the said Ships & Vessels agreable to our aforesaid Commission; governing yourself therein by such parts of the original Instructions abovemention'd as may relate thereto, & carrying into execution such of the said Orders & Directions as may remain in the whole, or in part, unexecuted. Given &c. the 24th June 1777.