Sir,

The West India Merchants having upon an Attendance on my Lords Commrs of the Admty desir'd that Convoys may be appointed to proceed to England the ensuing Year on the 30th April, 15th June, and 1st August; I am commanded by their Lordships to signify their direction to you to appoint Convoys to be ready on those days accordingly, directing the Com­manders of such Convoys to assemble and depart from Bluefields, ac­companying them till their Arrival in the Downes; And in this Case their Lordships are pleased to recommend that you proportion the strength of the Convoys you appoint to the Number of Ships they are to take under their Care.

And their Lordships are likewise pleased to direct that you order the Commanders of the several Convoys to proceed with the Ships they have in charge through the Gulph instead of coming through the Windward Passage, their Lordships being of Opinion, that in so doing, they will be less liable to fall in with any American Cruizers waiting to intercept them. I am &c.

Vice Admiral Gayton at Jamaica By the Packet, 1st October

Duplicate sent 30 Octr By the Niger