Sir,

Mr [John] Boddington having just now informed me that the Richmond and Nottingham Storeships were in readiness to go down the River this day and that they might be expected to arrive at Portsmouth by Sunday Evening, but that the Lord Amherst had part of her Loading to take in which could not be put on board until she fell down below Woolwich, and that the time of her Sailing could not therefore be ascertained; I have acquainted Lord George Germain therewith, and his Lordship considering the great Strength of that Ship and being unwilling that the Trade of His Majesty's Subjects should suffer any interruption for which there is not the most absolute Necessity, directs me to desire you will acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that he has no objection to their Lordships ordering the Convoy for the West India Ships to proceed to Sea as soon as the Nottingham & Richmond Store Ships shall have joined them, without waiting for the Lord Amherst, if she does not arrive before they put to Sea. I am &ca