[Extract]

Whereas we intend that His Majts Sloop under your command shall proceed to the East Indies but that before she goes thither she should cruize for some time off the Coasts of Spain & Portugal for the protection of the Trade of His Majts Subjects and to look out for any Privateers belonging to His Majts rebellious Colonies infesting those parts, You are hereby required & directed to proceed to Sea with the first opportunity of Wind & Weather and Cruize for Ten Days from Five to Fifteen Leagues West from Cape Finisterre, diligently looking out for any Rebel Privateers that may be Cruizing thereabouts or any other Vessels belonging to the rebellious Colonies and use your best endeavours to take or destroy such of them as you may fall in with.

At the expiration of that time You are to proceed off Cape Roxant & Cruise Ten Days from Five to Fifteen Leagues West from that Cape: And then proceed off Cape St Vincents & Cruize Ten Days, also from Five to Fifteen Leagues West from that Cape, for the purposes abovementioned at the expiration of which time you are to make the best of your way to the Island of Madeira to complete Your Water & take on board such a quantity of Wine as may be necessary for the use of the Sloops Company....

Given &c 2d Octr 1776