Whereas we have received information that several Vessels belonging to His Majesty's Rebellious Subjects in North America, have arrived in the Ports of Holland & other Northern States; And whereas there is reason to believe that some of them will attempt to return to North America, North about with Cargoes of Gun Powder & Ammunition, for the use of the Rebels; You are hereby required & directed, forthwith to proceed with the Sloop you command, together with the Alarm Cutter (whose Commander is directed to follow your Orders) and Cruize off Fair Island, between the Isles of Orkney & Shetland, stretching occasionally to the Northward of the latter, and diligently to look out for, and use your best endeavours to intercept, and seize, all such Vessels as you may fall in with belonging to His Majesty's said Rebellious Colonies, bringing them into Port to be proceeded against as the Law directs.

If the Alarm Cutter is not at Leith, you will send the inclosed Order² for her Commander to Dundee (where he is to call for Orders) with such directions as you may jqdge proper to give him respecting his joining you.

You are to continue upon this Service for one Month, and at the expiration thereof, proceed to the Isles of Shetland yourself, in the Sloop, and send Lieut Wardlaw, in the Cutter, to the Isles of Orkney, in order to raise as many Voluntier Seamen & Seafaring Men for His Majesty's Fleet as you shall respectively be able, in the course of a Week or ten Days, and then repair to Leith, and put them on board any Tender that may be there to be brought to the Nore, giving us an Account of your Arrival & proceedings

You are then to proceed to your Cruizing Station between St Abbshead & Cromarty, and Cruize agreeable to former Qrders, directing the Lieutenant of the Cutter to do the like. Given &c, 1st. Augt 1776.

By &c G. J.