Officers, Commanding Schooners or other arm'd Vessels stationed to Windward of the Fleet to give notice of any Attempts of the Enemy during the Night, are not to expose the Vessel under their Command to any unnecessary hazard or Loss, by approaching nearer to the Enemy's battery's upon inconsiderable Occasions, or advancing too carelessly into Shoal Water; But in their Whole Conduct they are to have in view as their Chief Object a timely discovery and notice to the Fleet of the approach of an Enemy by day and Night

I

They are not to suffer any strange ships, boats, or Vessels, whatsoever to approach near to, or to pass within the circuit of the Fleet dureing the Night. But having taken their Stations to Windward of the Fleet, or in such direc­tion as shall be from time to time appointed the Commanders are: to be attentive to the motions of the Enemy, and to give the earliest notice of their approach, and to use every means in their Power to frustrate any preparation they discover to have been made for molesting the Transports or doing Injury to any other Part of the Fleet.

II

They are to seize and detain all Boats passing within or near the Fleet after the Watch is set: except the Guard boats declaring themselves to be such when hailed: or such other boats as upon examination they find to be employed upon the King's Service & are able to give the Watch word when demanded; and seeing occasion at any time to demand the Watch word as above, they are to take care to do it in such a Private manner, that upon receiving it from the Person approaching them for that Purpose it may not be disclosed to any Stander-by

III

Upon discovering the Approach of An Enemy from whose attempts any Injury is to be apprehended to the Fleet, and in Opposition to which the Commanders of the Guard Vessels do not imagine their own force or means, with the Assistance of the Guard boats attending would be sufficient, they are to burn many False Fires, shew lights, & fire Guns successively untill they are Answered from the Admiral by one False Fire & one Light at the Ensign Staff: Or that they Observe the Admiral has made some signal to the Fleet with lights or Guns, which indicates his notice of the intended alarm, And they are to return to acquaint him or any other Principal Officer nearer to him with the particulars of the discovery they have made

IV

But upon discovering any attempts upon the Enemy in opposition to which they have need of, and think them­ selves able with the assistance of the Ordinary Armed boats of the Fleet to Act with Effect; they are then to burn two False Fires at the same time, shew two lights of equal height where they may be most easily distinguished and fire one or more Guns successively, untill they are answered by one False Fire, and one Light as before: Or that the Signal is made by the Admiral for the Guard Boats to repair to their Assistance accordingly. And for their fur­ their encouragement on these Occasions they may be asured that their merits shall be represented & noticed to their further advantage accordingly

V

They are to be Careful to give the earliest Information upon these subjects of alarm, that the Circumstances thereof will admit: In order that the Admiral may have the most timely notice for sending such Assistance or taking other Preventive measures as the Case may require. And if the Commanders of the Arm[ed] Vessels should be at any time in danger of being taken by the Enemy, they are to be particular[l]y careful previously to destroy these & all other Signals and Instructions in their Possesion relating to the Guard & Conduct of the Fleet

Given on board His Majs Ship the Eagle off New York the 8 June 1777