By &c

Whereas we have received Information that an Irish built Wherry of about 100 Tons, fitted out as a Schooner with 8 Carriage Guns besides Swivels & commanded by one Gustavus Cunningham, late Master of an American Brigantine which has been detained at Newport some time past, sailed from Dunkirk on the 1st Inst; that, on the next Day, she Piratically took the Prince of Orange Packet Boat William Story Master on her passage from Harwich to Helvoetsluys & set her Crew on Shore in Scheveling Bay, that on the 4th Inst in the Morning she also Piratically took the Brig Joseph Robert Kelly Master bound from Messina to Hamburgh about 14 Leagues North of Newport & that she was seen the same Afternoon in Company with the abovementioned Packet cruizing off the Gutt of Goree with intention as supposed to intercept the Dolphin Packet Boat that Station being in fair way for all Vessels bound to Helvoetsluys; You are hereby required & directed to put to Sea in the Sloop you command & proceed in her without a moments loss of time off the Coast of Flanders where you ar~ to Cruize very diligently between Goree & Dunkirk for the Protection of the Trade of His Majts Subjects & to use your best endeavours to take or destroy the said Pirate & to retake the Packet Boat & Brig abovementioned and any other Ships & Vessels belonging to His Majts Subjects which may have been taken by the said Cunningham or those Acting under his orders; governing yourself in the execution of this Service by the best intelligence you may procure & pursuing the said Pirate and his Associates without the abovementioned Limits if you shall find it likely to be attended with success; But if you do not fall in with, or obtain any good Intelligence of them, in the space of Ten Days after your arrival off the Coast of Flanders you are to repair to the Downes & remain there until you receive further Order; sending Us by Express an Account of your arrival & proceedings & holding yourself in constant readiness for sailing —

And Whereas we have received further information that an American Brig of about 140 Tons is at Newport laden with Powder & small Arms for North America; that she is painted black & yellow has about 12 Men two of whom are Negroes and is expected to sail upon her Voyage with the first opportunity of Wind under the Colours of the Queen of Hungary, You are hereby further required & directed to look out very diligently for the said Brigt & upon falling in with her to seize her & bring her into Port. Given &c 7th May 1777

Capt Warren, Ceres, Nore
By &c PS