(Copy:)
General
No 17 —
By James Young Esqre Vice Admiral of the Red & Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed and to be employed at Barbado's and the Leeward Islands and in the Seas adjacent.
In Pursuance of the King's Pleasure Signified by the Earl of Suffolk, one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty and by them Communicated to me.
You are hereby required and Directed Strictly to search and Examine all Dutch Ships and Vessels You may meet with, going to, or coming from the Island of St Eustatia (or the other Dutch Settlements in these Seas) and to send such of them as shall be found to have any Arms, Ammunition, Cloathing or Material for Cloathing on board into English Harbour Antigua to be detained there until farther Order; taking especial care the Hatches are Sealed up and properly secured, and that no Embezzlement is made of the Stores: Lading, Tackle or Rigging &ca from any of them; for which this shall be Your Order.
Given under my hand on board the Flora in English Harbour Antigua the 19th April 1777
To The Respective Captains & Commanders of His Majesty's Ships Flora, Portland, Seaford, Hind, Druid, Beaver, Shark, Favorite, Fly, Sylph, and Armed Brigs Pelican, Endeavour and Antigua.
By Command of the Admiral Geo: Lawford.
