Stations for Ships to Intercept American Vessells going to or from Haver de Grace

off Cape Barfleur		Speedwell Sloop
Between Cape Barfleur & Cape la Hauge		Courageux	These ships should have all the Informations about the Tobacco Ships expected —
off Cape la Hague		Royal Oak
Between Cape la Hague & the Gaskets		Ranger Sloop
North from Ushant		Hector

If the Man³ can be trusted he should be caution'd not to pass those stations in the night, and advis'd to keep about 5 Leagues from that Land —

The most minute description should be obtain'd of the vessell & what Colours she is intended to sail under, it may be so contriv'd to make her Colours serve for know[ing] her, that is by loseing or breaking her Ensign staff as it were by accident, and on being chas'd, to hoist her Colours at her Gaff-end or mast head as may be agreed on, whether, French, Dutch or English. —

The orders to the Captains of the Ships to be Secret not to be opend till they are without Dunnose, they should be furnish'd with all such particulars as may be thought proper. ー The two Sloops to lie at St Hellens to receive orders and ready to sail at a moments warning such orders to be sent as soon as the Description of the Vessell is receiv'd & the Intended time of her sailing is known

The Captains to be directed in case of meeting with this Vessell, carefully to secure all the papers found onboard her & (without inspecting any that are Seald) to send them to the Secretary of the Admty by an officer in a Box or parcel under the Captain's own Seal —

Perhaps it may be of use in case of geting the papers to have it Reported that her secret papers were sunk with weights when she was chas'd and that ー nothing but the Ship papers were found onboard her, and this report might be favourd by Packets similar to the others in size &c, being so thrown overboard in sight of the rest of the men onboard her. Thus the Enemy may be persuaded that none of their Secrets are discovered —