Sir,

You are hereby desir'd & authoris'd to proceed to Dartmouth & there if possible procure two swift sailing spy Boats with the utmost Expedition, if convenient to take some small Arms & Eight or Ten Men & Provisions proper, & sufficient Defence to keep of[f] Boats, and proceed out the Sound & if possible gain Intelligence of the Fleet & Army ready to sail from New York — let their Cruises be short, not exceeding 48 Hours, the Commander to send Expresses from any Port he can first make a Harbour of, & to proceed again to Sea in such short Cruises as is here prescrib'd & furnish us by repeated Expresses with all possible Intelligence of the destination of the Fleet. — If you cannot procure one or both these Vessels proceed to Falmouth or other Sea Port along the South Shore, & follow these directions applying at Dartmouth to Messrs Leonard Jarvis & Lemuel Williams & at Falmouth to Colo Joseph Dimick & Capt Shiverick of the House who in conjunction with you, or in your or their several Capacities are hereby empower'd to contract for, fit out, & if need be impress any Vessels, Horses or other Articles necessary for this important purpose upon an Emergency — Don't let 'the Arming cause any Delay, nor need you confine yourself to the number of Ten Men if less will go; — the Board hereby bind themselves to make good all Contracts, Engagements & Expences you may Incur, & as the important Station you fill in your own Regiment makes Your Presence necessary you will not tarry longer than to bring Intelligence upon the first Return of a Boat. By order of the Board.