Advices having been received from different Parts of America, that the Inhabitants of the Colonies in general which are in Arms against the King are collecting & fitting out armed Vessels for effecting in various ways their rebellious purposes; You are hereby required & directed in pursuance of His Majestys pleasure signified to Us by the Earl of Dartmouth one of His Principal Secretaries of State in his Letter of the 22d Ultmo to exert your utmost endeavours to prevent such preparations and to burn & destroy every Vessel that shall appear to be fitted out from any of the Colonies with such traiterous designs
In case you shall seize any Ships or Vessels under the Circumstances mentioned in our Order of the 6th of last Month, you are instead of carrying them to Boston to carry them to some other place of safety; there to be detained 'til further Order or be proceeded against according to Law as the nature of the case shall require.
Given &c 7th November 1775
Capt. Furneaux ー Syren ー
J. Buller H. Penton H. Palliser
Plymouth By &c PS
1. PRO, Admiralty 2/100, 236.