1. The Board of Admiralty to Milne

[Milne Mss MLN/114/6]

[6 February 1860]

Whereas by Our Commission, dated the 13th Jany. 1860, We have appointed you to succeed Vice Admiral Sir Houston Stewart1 as Commander in Chief of Her Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed on the North American and West India Station between the limits therein described, and We have ordered your Flag to be hoisted on board Her Majesty's Ship Emerald at Devonport.

You are hereby required and directed so soon as the Emerald shall be in all respects ready, to put to Sea in her and proceed to Bermuda for the purpose of meeting Sir Houston Stewart[,] to whom you are to deliver the accompanying Despatch, and he will hand over to you all unexecuted Orders and Instructions relative to the Station (including our standing Orders dated 5 Feb 1857 of which a Copy is enclosed) and will direct the several Captains and Commanding Officers of the Ships and Vessels … now under his orders to place themselves under your command, after which the Vice Admiral will return to England, and on his parting company you are to assume the Chief Command of the North American and West India Station.

[Enclosure]

You are to take as early an opportunity as circumstances will admit of to put yourself in communication with the Governors, or Officers administering the Government of Her Majesty's Colonies and Settlements within the extent of your Station; as also with her Majesty's Ministers and Consuls residing at places, within, or bordering on the same; understanding that you are generally to afford them, or any of them, such ready aid and co-operation in all matters for the benefit of the Queen's Service as they may from time to time require from you, or as circumstances may call for, and which may be in your power to afford consistently with your opinion of the necessities of the Service, and you are to make such disposition of the Force under your command, as you may deem most beneficial for the safety and Welfare of the said Colonies and Settlements, and for protecting the Trade of Her Majesty's Subjects throughout the extent of your Command.