Whitehall 25th July 1778
Secret My Lords
The French King has issued Orders for seizing or destroying all ships and vessels belonging to His Majesty or His subjects. I am commanded to signify to your Lordships His Majestys pleasure that you do with all possible expedition dispatch Instructions to the Commanders of His Majesty’s ships on the several stations in North America the West Indies and on the coast of Africa, to attack seize or destroy all ships and vessels belonging to the French King or His subjects which they may meet with or come up with and to conduct themselves in all respects towards the same as if war was actually declared between the two Crowns.
Df, UkLPR, S.P. (Naval) 42/53, fols. 59–60. Addressed at top: “Lords of the Admiralty.” Docketed: “Drat/to the Lords of the Admiralty/25 July 1778.”
