Sr

Having laid before My Lords Commrs of the Admty your Letter of the_ 18th Inst transmitting a Copy of One the Lords of the Treasury have received from the Commrs of the Customs relative to two Vessels that had been hovering in Exeter Bay supposed to have come from France or Holland with Ammunition for America; I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you that directions were given to the Commr of His Majs Cutter the Meredith to look out diligently for the said Vessels & to seize & carry them into the first convenient Port, if they prove to be laden in the manner suspected; And that Capt [Thomas] Graves Senior Officer of His Majs Ships at Plymouth hath informed their Lordships that the Collector of His Majs Customs at Exeter haveing given Mr Ourry Commissr of His Majs Customs at Plymouth an Account of the two Vessels beforementioned & the Commissioners having acquainted him therewith he has ordered the Commr of His Majs. Cutter the Folkestone to Cruize off Exmouth in quest of the said Vessel &c