By Charles Douglas Esqr Captain of
His Majesty's Ship Isis, and Senior Officer
in the River St Lawrence

His Excellency General Carleton, Governor of this Province, & Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Army employed therein, and on the Frontiers thereof; having by his Letter to me of the 21st Ultimo, dated at Crown point; set forth, That the proximity of the Rebels to Lake Champlain (notwithstanding the late defeat of their Fleet) renders it absolutely necessary, that some Ships of War, do Winter in this River to the End that as many of the Men and Officers thereunto belonging as can be spared therefrom, may be employed on the said Lake, as early as possible -You are hereby required and directed to get His Majesty's Ship which you Command, brought into such State as may be proper for laying her up in the Cul au Sac of Quebec for the Winter without loss of time.

And Whereas His Majesty's Ships and Vessels, as per annexed List, are also directed to winter in this Province, You are to take them under your Command, And to employ them, their Crews, or any part of their Crews, Cannon, Amunition, Stores &c or any part thereof, in such manner, as according to your Judgment, And in Co-operation with General Carleton, and the Land forces under his Command, shall be most conducive towards promoting the good of His Majesty's Service, either on this River, or upon the Lake aforesaid-Until the Right Honorable the Lord Viscount Howe Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships in North America (under whose Command you are to consider yourself) or other your Superior Officer, shall have been pleased otherwise to direct.

And Whereas divers hired Transports do yet remain in this Province -particularly at Sorel; It is hereby strongly recommended, that you do your utmost to get them out of this River before the Winter sets in. The Directions of the Admiralty to me are that they repair to Spithead.

So soon as the Navigation opens in the Spring ensuing, you are to send an Account to our Commander in Chief at Halifax, of the State & Condition of His Majtys Ships and Vessels under your Command; And of His Excellency General Carletons, and your own joint Views of Service for the Ensuing Summer.

And Whereas His Majesty's Sloop the Beaver is shortly expected here; You are not to detain her, providing She arrives before the 20th of this Month; Nor any other of His Majesty's Ships arriving previous to that period, but to suffer them to depart to follow their former Orders, Unless the Weather should be such, as to render very dangerous the departure of any such at so late a Season of the Year; In which last supposed Case, You are to be very careful, in assigning a proper Place for every such Ship or Vessel to Winter in, as also for such hired Transports as cannot get away.

Whereas moreover several Victualling Ships are now in the River St Lawrence tho' they be not in the Navy departmt, It is nevertheless recommended to you, to be aiding and assisting with Men (and your good Council if acceptable) towards getting the same delivered of their Provisions in such due Season (if that be now possible) as that they may yet be able to leave the River St Lawrence, before the Winter be confirmedly set in.

For the due performance of all the foregoing, as also for your acting in all things, for the Public weal in zealous Co-operation with His Excellency-aforesaid, or others, having Command in His Majesty's Land Forces under him. This shall be your Order.

Given under my Hand, on board the Isis off Quebec, Novemr 3d 1776.

(A Copy) Rd Pearson
[Endorsed] No 8 In Lord Howes Lre of the 15 Jany 1777