By &c.

Whereas We have received Information from the Merchants, Importers of Linnen from Ireland & Owners of the Linnen Ships representing that several of their Ships are now ready to sail with very rich Cargoes on board, particularly from Newry but are stopt by their Orders on account of the danger they apprehend them to be in from the Rebel Cruizers which infest the Coast of Ireland, & therefore requesting that convoy may be appointed to see the said Linnen Ships in safety to England, And whereas we have ordered Lieut Major who commands his Majts Cutter the Esther to proceed immediately to Belfast & Newry, & having collected such of the said Linnen Ships & other Trade which may be at those Ports ready to sail and desirous of accompanying him to take them under his Convoy & proceed with them to Dublin, where he is to put himself under your command and follow your Orders for his further proceedings.

You are therefore hereby required & directed to proceed in the Sloop you command without a Moments loss of time to Dublin, & so soon as the said Cutter arrives, to take her under your command, and the Linnen Ships & other Trade she shall have brought with her under your convoy, as also all other Linnen Ships & Trade bound to England ready to sail & whose Masters are desirous of accompanying you, & then putting to Sea with the first opportunity of Wind & Weather make the best of your way with them (consistent with their security) into the English Channel or as far as your way & theirs may lie together, & having seen them in safety to the Eastward of the Lizard leave them to prosecute the remainder of their Voyage and then return with the Sloop & Cutter to Dublin &continue to convoy the Linnen Ships and Trade from thence to England, in like manner from time to time as they shall be assembled for that purpose, until you receive further Order; sending Us by all convenient opportunities accounts of your proceedings.

You are, during your continuance upon the above Service, to use your best endeavours to take or destroy any Privatiers or other ships or Vessels belonging to the Rebellious Colonies of North America which may fall in your way, or which you may be able to come up with in your Passage, without exposing the Trade under your Convoy to danger, by leaving them to pursue such Privatiers or other Ships or Vessels. Given &c. the 16th May 1777.

Captn Bligh ー Wasp ー Waterford
B &c.
P.S.