Copy
Whereas there is not any apparent Necessity for the longer detention of His Majesty's Ship the Bristol in which Your Lordship is embarked, with respect to the military operations impending, or proposed to be undertaken for the King's Service, by His Majesty's Land Forces in this and the adjacent Provinces; You are therefore to repair in the said Ship with all convenient diligence to Portsmouth. Being upon your arrival there, to make the same known to the Secretary, that You may receive Orders from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for your future Conduct, and the further Appointment of the Ship.
Your Lordship is at the same time to direct Captain [John] Raynor to forward in the charge of a trusty Officer, by Express, the several Dispatches for the Admiralty and Secretary of States Offices, transmitted herewith; to be delivered as they are respectively addressed.
Given on board His Majesty's Ship the Eagle at New York the 27th day of December 1776.
By Command of the Vice Admiral Josh Davies.
