By &c.

Whereas, in pursuance of the King's Order in Council of the 13th day of April last, we have caused a Vessel to be purchased fitted and armed for the Service cif William Gerrard De Brahm Esq. Surveyor General of His Majesty's American Dominions in the Southern District, and to be called the Cherokee, and have appointed Lieut John Fergusson to command her & directed him to proceed in her with the said Mr De Brahm, his Assistants, Servants &c. to Charles Town in South Carolina and from thence, from time to time, to such other parts and in such manner, for the executing the said Service, as the said Mr De Brahm shall desire, & to follow such further Orders as he shall receive from you; You are hereby required and directed to give him such further Orders accordingly, with respect to the punctual and due performance of the said Service, as you shall find necessary, And to order him, whenever the aforesaid Service will admit of it, to use his best endeavours to seize Vessels employed in illegal Trade, for which he will be furnished with a Deputation from the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs at Boston; But you are strictly to direct him, neither upon this or any other Account, to deviate from proceeding agreable to the desire of Mr De Brahm for the performance of the abovementioned Service of making Survey's for which the Vessel under his command has been purchased, and to which she is (by the King's Order) particularly assigned; Given &c. the 6th April 1775.

By &c. P.S.