20th Novr 1776
Sr
The Commanders of His Majts Ships & Vessels in the Coasts of Great Britain & Ireland being directed in pursuance of the Kings Order in Council, to impress Men for the Manning of His Majesty's Ships fitting for the Sea. And it being an Instruction to them, when they take Men from Merchants Ships to put a proper Number of Seamen on board such Ships to navigate them to their Ports of delivery, and to direct the said Seamen either to remain at those Ports til called for, or else to repair by Land to some other Port in order to meet their Ships: My Lords Commrs of the Admiralty desire the Commrs of the Customs will please to give directions to their several Collectors at the Out Ports where there are no Naval Officers to pay Conduct Money to such Seamen at the Rate of a Penny a Man per Mile to the Port they shall be ordered to proceed to, or to allow them Subsistance, at the rate of Six Pence a Man per day while they shall remain at the Port they come to according as either shall be desired by their Commanders in sealed written Applications, to be delivered by the said Seamen to the Collectors: and that the Collectors be directed to take the Mens receipts on the backs of the said Applications, for such Money as they shall pay to them, which Receipts and Applications being transmitted to the Navy Board with Accounts of the Money advanced the same will be forthwith repaid: And if it shall be found necessary to employ Tenders to cruize also upon the Coast in order to raise Men my Lords Commrs of the Admty desire the Commissrs of the Customs will also please to give the like directions with regard to Seamen whom the Lieutenants who may command such Tenders shall put in like manner on board Merchant Ships. I am &c
P: S:
Edward Stanley Esqr Custom House
1. PRO, Admiralty 2/553, 210-11.