Whereas advices have b,een received that Ships and Vessels belonging to the associated Colonies in North America in open Rebellion against the King, are dispatched to the Ports of Spain and Portugal with Cargoes of Flour and other articles, in exchange for which they take in Arms and Ammunition for the use of the said Colonies; You are therefore hereby required and directed forthwith to send two of the Frigates, or a Fdgate and a Sloop, of your Squadron to-cruize upon such Station (not to the Northward of the Rock of Lisbon) in this side of the Streights mouth, as, from the abovementioned advices or such other Intelligence as you may receive of the mode of carrying in [on] the aforesaid illicit Trade, you shall judge most likely for intercepting and seizing the Ships and Vessels employed therein; directing the Commanders of the said Frigates or Sloop to return to Gibraltar at such time as you shall judge proper to inquire for orders; and not finding any to the contrary, to return and cruize in like manner until further Order, or til more important Service in the Mediterranean may make it necessary for. you to call them off. Given &c the 30t of April 1776
Sandwich J. Buller H. Penton
To Robert Man Esqr Vice Admiral of the White, and Commander in Chief of His Majestys Ships and Vessels in the Mediterranean at Portmahon (Duplicate signed Sandwich J. Buller Palmerston sent same time to Gibralter)
By &c. P:S: (Sent by Post 3d. May 1776)
