As there is the greatest Reason to imagine that a Body of His Majesty's Rebel Subjects have taken Arms with a Design to invest Fort Cumberland and ravage the adjacent Country, you are hereby required and Directed to proceed immediately to Sea with His Majesty's Sloop under your Command in search of His Majesty's Sloops Albany and Diligent; (a Copy of whose Orders you will receive herewith) 2 to whom you will give Directions to proceed immediately to Fort Cumberland and destroy if possible the Rebel Armament now employed against that Place.
You are to direct Lieutenant [Michael] Hyndman; (the Commander of the Albany) that if He finds the Fort actually invested, He is to endeavor throwing as large a Body of Seamen and Officers into it as He can spare from the two Sloops, and to use every Endeavor in His Power to distress and harrass the Enemy, and assist the Kings Troops in those Parts.
He is to be attentive to the Bason of Minas, and Windsor, and if He finds He can spare the Diligent, He is to Dispatch Her for the purpose of keeping that Channel clear of the Pirate Boats which have lately infested it.
You are to acquaint Lieutenant Hyndman, that He will probably meet with the Vulture Sloop in the Bay of Fundy, to whose Captain He will communicate these Directions, and apply to Him for further Orders.
And as the earliest Communication of the State things are in is of the utmost Comequence, it is my desire that Expresses are sent to the Governor or myself, as often as opportunity serves, and any thing of Moment Occurs.
After sending away the Albany and Diligent, if you find His Majesty's Service does not require your further Stay in the Bay of Fundy, you are to proceed and put your former Cruizing Orders in Execution.
Given on board His Majesty's Ship Rainbow in
the Harbour of Halifax the 14th of November 1776.
(A Copy)
[Endorsed] Hope (No 3) In Sir George Collier's of 21st Novr 1776.
