By Andrew Snape Hamond Esquire Captain of His Majs Ship the Roebuck
After the first of January next, In case by any accident His Majesty's Sloop under your command should be separated from me, and not be in a condition to keep this station in order to restrain the Kings Rebellious subjects in their endeavours to provide supplies of ammunition and other military Stores, and for the purpose of preventing all Trade and intercourse with the Colonies as well as destroying their Armed Vessels. You are hereby directed to proceed to the Island of Antigua, where you are to put yourself under the command of the Commander in chief, requesting his permission to clean and refit your Sloop in order for the joining Vice Admiral Lord Howe at New York as early in the next Spring as the Season will admit.
Given under my hand on board His Majestys Ship the Roebuck in Delaware Bay the 16th December 1776
A S Hamond
The Second Rendezvous to be opened in case of separation from the Roebuck
1. Hamond, Orders issued, 1776-1778, UVL.
