War Office 16^th April 1777

Sir,

His Majesty having been pleased to direct that Sixty Men should be drafted from the Regiments of light Dragoon's in Ireland in Order to be incorporated into the 16th and 17th Regiments of Light Dragoons serving under your Command, I have the honor to acquaint you there with .

It is intended that these Drafts shall be assembled at Corke by the 1st of May next. They are to be on the strength of the 16th and 17th Regiments from the day of Embarkation.

Orders are given that an Account of each Man's debts not exceeding 15 shillings per Man, be delivered to the Commanding Officer on board each Ship in which the Men are sent from Ireland to North America, in order to its being transmitted to the Commanding Officers of the Corps, to which the Men may be allotted. Which Corps so receiving the Drafts are to pay Five Guineas for each Man exclusive of the Debts above men mentioned.

You will be pleased to direct a State of the Drafts received by each Regiment to be transmitted, That the Accounts between the respective Corps may be liquidated.

I have the honor to be

Sir

Your most obedient and

Most humble Servant

Signed Barrington

Honorable

General Sir William Howe

&c &c &c

[Source; British Headquarters Papers, Microfilm Collection, The David Library of the American Revolution. Page 129, Item No.491.]