Contracted and agreed this Sixth day of December 1776 between James Young Esquire, Vice Admiral of the Red; and Commander in Chief of His Majestys Ships and Vessels Employed and to be Employed at Barbadoes the Leeward Islands and the Seas Adjacent, for and on behalf of His Majesty: and in the Name of the Principal Officers and Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy; on the one Part: and Messrs Dover Taylor and Bell of the Town of St John in the Island of Antigua Merchants and Copartners on the other Part. And the Said Messrs Dover Taylor & Bell for and in Consideration of the Monies herein after Agreed to be paid them by the said Principal Officers and Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy; Do Contract and Oblige themselves, their Executors and Administrators, to do and Perform every thing Contained in the Articles or Clauses herein next following Vizt.
The Said Messrs Dover Taylor & Bell, for and on behalf of themselves arid all and every the Part Owners of the Ship Lord North; whereof George Ross is now Master [of] the Burthen of Two Hundred Tons or thereabouts; Mounting Fourteen Carriage Guns, & Twelve Swivels; Navigated by Twenty five Men; now Riding in the Harbour of St John, Antigua, Do Covenant and Agree that their Said Ship Lord North shall proceed, forthwith to the Island of Montserrat, and there receive on board, all such Soldiers, Women Arms Ammunition, Provisions and Stores, As the Said James Young Esqr Vice Admiral of the Red and Commander in Chief &ca shall order to be put on board her (being part of the Eighth and part of the Forty seventh Regiments of His Majesty's Forces, which were brought from England by the Hind Transport, King George, Daniel Witherdon Master, who having Lost His Masts in bad Weather at Sea put into the Said Island in distress, and Cannot proceed the Voyage without great repairs and much Delay), And carry Said Troops to New York in North America, and there to Land them Pursuant to the Directions of the Commanding Officer of the Kings forces, at that Place. During the Continuance of the Troops on board the ship Lord North, It is declared and Agreed that the Officers shall be accomodated with the Great Gabbin and other Cabbins of the Ship except a Proper Gabbin for the Master and A small one for the Mate, and that the Gunroom Forecastle and Steerage or Such part thereof as shall be necessary be reserved for Lodging the Seamen. The Troops are to be provided at the Cost and Charge of the Owners with Coppers or Furnaces Sufficient and Necessary for the Boiling and dressing their Provisions, and also with Cans and Pumps for serving them with Water &ca, in their Voyage as well as with, Platters Spoons Candles and Lanthoms. They are to be Victualled at Navy Two Thirds Allowance, from the Kings Provisions put on board with them from the King George Transport; and to be Provided with Water Casks and Hammacoes [hammocks], at the Expence of His Majesty; For which Provisions, Water Casks and Hammacoes, the Master of the Ship Lord North is to give Proper Receipts, and duly to Account for the Expenditure of the Same at the end of His Voyage, and he is to return into his Majesty's Stores at New York all the Kings Provisions that are remaining on board at the Time he shall Land the Said Troops at New York; and also the Water Casks and Hammacoes, for all which he is to take proper Receipts, and also a Certificate from the Commanding Officer of the Kings Forces of His Having Performed the Conditions of this Contract.
And in Consideration of Said Covenants Conditions and Agreements being duly performed and Executed by the aforesaid Messrs Dover Taylor & Bell, The Said Vice Admiral Young, in the Name of the said Principal Officers and Commissioners of the Navy, doth Covenant and Promise; for and on behalf of His Majesty, That the said Messrs Dover Taylor & Bell; their Executors Administrators or Assigns shall be allowed and Paid, the Sum of Four Pounds Sterling for each Person, belonging to the Kings Troops taken on board the Said Ship Lord North at the Island of Montserrat, in Order to their being Carried to, and Landed at New York, as aforesaid, which Money is to be paid by the Aforesaid Commissioners (on the Producing to them the Aforesaid Accounts Receipts & Certificates) in Course of the Navy, and if not paid in Six Months then to be allowed Interest as usual,
To the True performance, and keeping all and every the Covenants, Conditions and Agreements, above Mentioned on the Part and behalf of the Said Messrs Dover Taylor & Bell, to be kept done and performed; They the Said Dover Taylor and Bell bind themselves their Heirs, Executors and Administrators, Unto the Said Vice Admiral Young in the Name of the Said Principal Officers and Commissioners of the Navy for & on behalf of His Majesty, in the Penalty or Sum of Five hundred Pounds, of Lawful Money of Great Britain, to be recovered and Paid by these Presents.
In Witness whereof The Parties abovementioned have hereunto interchangeably set their Hands and Seals the Day and Year first above Written.
Sealed and Delivered
in Presence of
Geo: Lawford
H: Gamier (Copy)