BY THE COMMISSIONERS FOR EXECUTING THE OFFICE OF LORD HIGH ADMIRAL OF
GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, ETC.

Whereas the king, upon a representation from the merchants and planters
interested in his Majesty's West India possessions that the introduction
of the breadfruit tree into the islands of those seas, to constitute an
article of food, would be of very essential benefit to the inhabitants,
hath, in order to promote the interests of so respectable a body of his
subjects (especially in an instance which promises general advantage)
thought fit that measures should be taken for the procuring some of those
trees, and conveying them to the said West India islands: And whereas the
vessel under your command hath, in consequence thereof, been stored and
victualled for that service, and fitted with proper conveniences and
necessaries for the preservation of as many of the said trees as, from
her size, can be taken on board her; and you have been directed to
receive on board her the two gardeners named in the margin, David Nelson,
and William Brown, who, from their knowledge of trees and plants, have
been hired for the purpose of selecting such as shall appear to be of a
proper species and size:

You are, therefore, in pursuance of his majesty's pleasure, signified to
us by Lord Sydney, one of his principal secretaries of state, hereby
required and directed to put to sea in the vessel you command, the first
favourable opportunity of wind and weather, and proceed with her, as
expeditiously as possible, round Cape Horn, to the Society Islands,
situate in the Southern ocean, in the latitude of about eighteen degrees
south, and longitude of about two hundred and ten degrees east from
Greenwich, where, according to the accounts given by the late Captain
Cook, and persons who accompanied him during his voyages, the breadfruit
tree is to be found in the most luxuriant state.