Sir

You being commander of the General Hancock a private ship of war of Eighteen Guns, now fitted and ready for Sea, to cruize against the Enemies of the United States of America, as by authority of your Commission from the Honourable Continental Congress Our Orders are you embrace the first favourable opportunity and proceed on your Cruize as follows VIZT. 

From this wou'd have you proceed to the Southward, so as to cross the Latitudes to cut of[f] the West India Fleets, bound home to England and Ireland, how far to the Southward or Northward, We would not limit you, as You being on the spot will be the best Judge where it will be most for the benefit to cruize. Should you take any Vessels with Negros would have you send them to South Carolina or the West Indies, any with Lumber and Fish would have you send them to the West Indies there Invest the neet proceeds in Molasses and Sugar, the Prize master giving me us the earliest intelligence, all other Vessels you take would have you send them to this Port consign'd to Cushing & White, agents for the Ship General Hancock. 

After your Cruize is up you are to return with your Ship to Boston, and your People are not to be discharg'd until they deliver the Ship at this Port. 

Shou'd you think fit to prolong the Cruize, and want to refit you are hereby impower'd to draw on the Owners of the Ship to the amount of Five hundred pounds sterling money, and your Bills shall be duly honour'd. 

As to the proceedings of the Cruize, We shall intirely confide in your prudent management, not doubting you will do the utmost in your power for the benefit of the concern'd, so We wish you health and a successful Cruize and safe return and are,—sir your friends & part Owners.

Our Friend in France is M^r. Jon^a. Williams at Nantes at Bilbao Jos Gardoqui & Son in Martineco. M^r. Godfrey Hutchinson at South Carolinia Geo Abbott Abbot Hall. for your Goverment, youl apply to them for any Assistance you want—

The above I Acknowledge to be a True Copy of my orders,—

Ish^l. Hardy