21st October 1776
My Lord
The Guardships and other Ships fitting out being distressed by the want of Petty Officers, so great a number having been appointed to superintend the navigation of Transports and Treasury and Ordnance Victuallers and Storeships to North America; I am commanded by my Lords Commrs of the Admiralty to recommend it to your Lordship to send to England by the first opportunity that may off er such of those Petty Officers as are now with, or may hereafter join your Lordship, to the end that they may be employed in His Majesty's Ships.
And as their Lordships hope that there may not be occasion for the employing in North America for the future so great a number of Agents to Transports as are now there, I have it also in command to recommend it to your Lordship to send to England as soon as conveniently may be, such of those agents as your Lordship may think can be spared without prejudice to the Service. I have the honor to be &c
P: S:
(By Major Cuyler) Duplicate sent the 20h Novemr 1776 (By the Thames)
1. PRO, Admiralty 2/553, 103-04.