Whereas there is certain information that the Rebels have 5 or 6 Sail of large Schooners and Sloops armed and full of men, cruizing in and about the Bay of Fundy to intercept Vessels bringing fresh Provisions, Hay and Fuel to Boston, of which the Garrison is in the greatest Want, the Lives of a very considerable Number depending upon speedily receiving fresh Meat; and whereas his Majesty's Schooners St Lawrence and Hope sailed the 19th of last month to convoy the Transports as pr Margin to Annapolis Royal, with Orders to bring from Windsor in the Bay of Fundy Six or more vessels laden with Cattle for this Garrison. and his Majesty's Sloop Senegal being likewise in Penobscot Bay with four Transports and three Sloops endeavouring to procure fuel; and whereas every precaution ought to be taken to prevent disgrace to his Majesty's Arms and to secure the Supplies we are in such need of from any pyratical Attempts of the Rebels: You are hereby required and directed, as soon after your arrival as possible, to apply to Governor [Francis] Legge for such Information respecting the Rebel Pyrates as his Excellency can give, and having informed yourself from Captain [Edward] Medows, or by any other means you think proper of the situation of his Majesty's Affairs in the Province of Nova Scotia, particularly with respect to the Rebels Designs on any Magazine, Forts, Towns or Shipping, and of the number and force of the Pyrates said to be at Sea and their cruizing Stations, You are to order Capt. Medows to range along the Coast of Nova Scotia, and to go into the Bay of Fundy as high as Annapolis Royal where I would have him anchor, and inform himself if any Vessels are in the Harbours near him, waiting for Convoy or nearly ready to depart for Boston, to assist in gathering them together and to take them all under his Convoy and proceed with them to Boston. In case there shall be no Vessels bound this way with supplies of any kind for this Garrison or Fleet, you are to order Captain Medows to visit as many of the Harbours along the Coast on his way to Boston as he can; My Intention being for the Tartar to collect if possible all the trading Vessels bound here, and to protect and convoy them hither without delay. And you are also required and directed to give Captain Medows, and all other Captains and Commanders you may meet, Orders to take, burn, sink and destroy, all and every Pirate and Rebel wherever they can be found, and every Vessel or Person who shall be actually aiding and assisting such Pirate or Rebel; And also to order that all Vessels belonging to the four New England Governments armed, or appointed otherwise than the Wood Coasters and Traders formerly were, are to be deemed Pyrates and treated accordingly.

You are also to order Captain Medows in case of his meeting hi Majesty's Schooners aforesaid, or the Senegal, to give their Commanders such assistance and Orders as the Kings Service may require; Observing upon the whole that the bringing Supplies of Cattle, Fuel and Hay to Boston must, be accelerated by all means in our power. And whereas the good of the Kings Service may require that other Directions and Orders may be given as well with respect to the afore-going Duties, as what may happen during your Stay at Halifax, you are in the above and all other Cases, that will not admit of waiting for my Orders, to give such Directions as the Exigencies of the Case may require and you shall think most advantageous to his Majesty's Interest.

You are upon the arrival of the Store Ship from England, to cause some of your Ships Company to assist in taking out such part of the Stores as yourself and the Naval Officer shall think best to remain in the Yard, and to secure and arrange them in proper order, And you are also to afford the Officers of the Yard all other necessary and proper Assistance for his Majesty's Service; but you are not to interfere in their respective departments except to see that due Obedience is paid to mine and the Navy Boards Orders.

You are heartily to co-operate with Governor Legge and assist him in all things for his Majesty's Service to the best of your Judgement.

Given under my Hand on board his Majts Ship Preston at Boston the 11 August 1775

[Transports mentioned in the Margin]