Reserves trade to the East of the Cape of Good Hope to the East India Company.

Copy in letter-book marked 'Letters from England'. Enclosed in 256.

Conveys instruction No.28 relative to the office of Ordinary at the Cape, stating that only the Governor or in his absence, the Lieutenant-Governor may exercise powers of granting licences for marriages, probates of wills and collating to benefices.

Transmits instructions including the fixing of Macartney's salary at £10,000 per annum and £2,000 table money and that of Mr. Barnard as Secretary at £3000 per annum, both to be backdated to 1 August 1796; all other officials are to be paid from 1 January 1797; as the revenue of the colony may be insufficient to cover the civil establishment, the East India Company will be asked to supply the deficit and the government will adjust affairs with the Company; no Dutch or French settlers are to be allowed at the Cape. In letter-book marked 'Letters from England'.

Requests Macartney to deliver two dispatches to Rear-Admiral Pringle.

Forward the request of the Commissioners of the Navy for naval store houses to be provided at the Cape.

Copy in letter-book marked 'Letters from England'. Enclosed in 68.

letter Signed by Lord Spencer, J. Gambier and N. Young.

Instructs him to provide houses at the Cape of Good Hope for naval stores, for the use of His Majesty's ships calling at the Cape.

In letter-book marked 'Letters from England'. letter.

Regrets the ill luck at the beginning of Earl Macartney's voyage and wishes him well for the future.

"Most secret" letter, approving the temporary measures taken by Craig to assist the military service from the surplus of the country; also approves the purchase of the Dutch East Indian Company's slaves to accompany the South American expedition as pioneers; considers that as the Cape is adequately protected and attack is unlikely, the South American force should be dispatched promptly. Enclosed in 77.

Requests wheat, flour or rice to be sent most urgently to the Cape, in view of the failure of crops due to drought; asks also for gunpowder, timber and gunny bags.