Orders to Captain Melvin. 

(Dear Sir): You are to go with the detachment under your command,¹ with the Captns. Hardy & Bradock² who will proceed with you up the river Alatamaha, and take under their convoy a large flat and boat with sundry necessaries for the army which you are to forward with all expedition to me at Fort Howe.³ A Mr. Cantey hires twenty negroes for the purpose of working the flat and boat up the river. Mr. Austin & Mr. Cantey⁴ likewise go as patroons. Let me intreat that you exert yourself in joining me with the above without loss of time, as the army can't pass the river without the assistance of the boat and flat, and without a galley to cover their retreat it will be imprudent to pass it; please consult with Captns. Hardy & Bradock and with them do all you can for the public service, I wish you success, & am, sir, Yr. most obedt. Servant.

N.B. Should it be judged improper to leave the galleys with your men, the negroes will be sufficient to carry up the vessels if they don't come as high as we are with the galleys.