Your letter of 16 November, enclosed copies of letters from the Commissioners of the Victualling, Mr Bradon, agent at Portsmouth, and Mr Frigian, giving an account of the two victualling ships left behind that were to have gone to the Straits with Rear Admiral Nevil. The account not being satisfactory, you are directed to make the strictest enquiry into the truth of the matter and if you find that any officers in the Navy have been the occasion of the delay of the two ships, you shall advise us in order that they shall be punished. If you find that the masters of the ships have been negligent you are to prosecute them under their charter parties. Your letter of 13 November advised us of the stores you thought necessary to be carried to the ships coming home from the West Indies and we give our approval thereof. Orders will be given to the ships to receive them on board.