My Lord

Vice Adml Sir Jas Douglas, Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships at Portsmouth having in his Letter of the 22nd instant acquainted my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that a Fever supposed to be infectious, had got into His Majesty's Ship the Lark which was appointed one of the Convoy now going out as mentioned in my Letter to your Lordship of the 23rd of this Month; and my Lords judged it of the highest importance that the progress of so fatal a Distemper should be stopped as soon as possible have ordered the Lark to be detained at Portsmouth that the proper measures may be taken for that purpose, and have directed the Daphne to proceed with the Convoy in her room with which I am commanded to acquaint your Lordship, and at the same time to signify their Lordships directions to you to take the Daphne under your Command upon her joining you, instead of the Lark & employ her as you find best for His Majesty's Service.

Their Lordships being informed that the Victuallers which were to have assembled at Cork by the first of next month, and were to have proceeded to join General Howes Army under Convoy of the Galatea will not be ready to sail til the middle of that month I have it in command from their Lordships to acquaint you therewith, and that they have therefore ordered the Galatea to proceed to join your Lordship² with all the dispatch that may be with the Duplicates of the Letters, I had the honor of writing to your Lordship by the Diamond, that you may be apprized of the Reinforcements that are coming out to join you. I have the honor to be &c.

By the Galatea, at Plymouth, same Nightー