You are directed to have the ships and vessels mentioned in this letter, which are to be the main fleet next summer, to be victualled with 4 months provisions and 8 weeks beer for the first and second rates and 10 weeks beer for the third rates. Also, they are to be furnished with the extraordinary allowance of water casks as was ordered for the fleet last year. You are to take care that the whole quantity of victuals is furnished in kind, and not any by money or credit. If any ships or vessels spend part of their sea provisions then this may be made good to them so that the whole fleet shall be ready to go to sea on 1 May with the whole proportion of victuals ordered for them. You are also to order the Commissioners of the Victualling to provide two fitting vessels of 200 tons each to attend the fleet as water ships next summer.