By &c.

Whereas we think fit that the Ship you command, accompanied by the Tortoise and Grampus Storeships (whose Commanding Officers are directed to follow your Orders) shall proceed to New York with the Victuallers named in the inclosed List and any other Victuallers or Storeships in His Majestys Service or Trade which may be at Spithead, or arrive there before you sail; You are hereby required & directed to take the Tor­toise & Grampus under your command, and the Victuallers, Storeships & Trade abovementioned under your Convoy; and, then putting to Sea with the first opportunity of Wind & Weather, make the best of your way (consistent with their security) with them to New York; where you are to deliver the inclosed Packet to Vice Adml Ld Visct Howe, or the Commanding Officer of His Majesty's Ships there for the time being; and follow his Orders for your further proceedings.

If there are any Merchants Ships or Vessels at Spithead, bound the same way, which may be ready to sail, & whose Masters may be desirous of accompanying you, you are to take them under your convoy also; and see them in safely as far as your way & theirs may lie together.

You are to take particular care of the Grampus &Tortoise, as well as of the Victuallers and Storeships abovementioned, & to be very attentive to all the other Ships & Vessels which proceed under your Convoy; keeping them together by every means in your power, & upon no Account, leaving them upon pretence of their not sailing fast enough to keep Company with you; as we expect that, in the course of your Voyage, you accomodate your Progress to that of the worst sailing Ship amongst them.

You are at the same time to take all possible care to prevent the said Ships & Vessels from seperating from you and to give their respective Mas­ters such Orders & directions as you judge most conducive to that end; And in case (notwithstanding these precautions) any of them shall part Company with you, or disobey your Orders, you are to transmit to our Secretary a List of their Names, & disobedience; that such measures may be taken thereupon as shall be judged necessary.

And Whereas we intend that His Majestys Ship the Fowey shall also accompany you to New York, if she arrives at Spithead & can get her Provisions & Stores complete in time; you are, in that case, hereby further required & directed to take her under your command; but not to wait for her, if you are in every other respect, ready to proceed before she is. Given &c. 21st of August 1777.
By &c. PS

[Enclosure]