Sir

My Lords Comm^rs. of the Adm^ty having this day rec^d. a Letter from Sir Thomas Rich Comm^r. of His Maj^ts. Ship the Enterprize dated the 3^d. ins^t. giving an Account of the French Fleet under the command of Mons^r. D’Estang having pass’d the Streights of Gibraltar on the 16^th. ult^o. and of the course they were steering when he left them on the 19^th. by which there is reason to believe they may be bound to some part of the Coast of N^o. America; I am commanded by their Lordships to send you herewith a Copy of Sir Thomas Rich’s Letter for your more particular Information, and to acquaint you that their Lordships have sent Orders to Vice Adm^l. Byron to proceed from Plymouth Sound with the Squadron under his command with the utmost expedition in pursuit of the said French Fleet, agreeably to the Instructions of which I have already had the honor to send you Copies.¹ I am &c.