We direct you to cause all such of the twenty Oared Boats as have been built for Fleet service, and are now either in the Thames, or at Chatham or Sheerness, to be fitted for service to be in readiness when the C-in-C at the Nore shall send for them and you are to let us know where these Boats now are.
Rear Admiral Benbow has written concerrning his want of Provisions for the Ships cruising with him in the Soundings, and he will have to come to Spithead. We send a copy of his letter to communicate to the Victualling Commissioners and order them to have a quantity of Provisions in readiness at Portsmouth sufficient to enable the Squadron to proceed to the Soundings, otherwise the Trades expected home could be exposed to great dangerfor want of protection.