Cap^t. Cook.

By the General Orders of this Day, the three Galley's Conqueror, Baltimore and Independence are to be under your Command as chief or Principal Officer, and you are to proceed with them to the Sound between the Islands and the Main, of the Eastern Shore and there check, or distress the Enemy, all you can. If you think it may be done with Success or without hazarding too much, you are to attack the Enemy's main Force in the Sound, but in this or any other Matter of Consequence, you are to have a Meeting of your principal Officers and advise with them and to have Regard to their Advice, for, though it is expected that a ready and chearful Obedience will be paid to your Orders, yet, in Things of Consequence, when Time and Opportunity favours, the Advice of the Officers ought to be had and attended to. When the Service no longer requires your Stay, you will proceed back with the Conqueror and Independence, leaving the Baltimore as a Guard below, but no Hands are to be left in her but those who properly belong to her. If the British Ships change their Station to any other Place within this State, you are to go with the three Gallies, into their Neighbourhood and choose the best Situation you can for the Safety of the gallies and to cut off the Tenders. If you find any Persons carrying on a Correspondence with the Enemy, secure such and their Vessels if you can, and assist the Operations of the Militia all in your Power, against the Enemy, or in securing those who may be suspected of corresponding with the Enemy. Contrive my Letter to Col^o. Dashiell and, if the Arms I have wrote to him about, can be got ready, you will put Part into each Galley and bring them to Annapolis. Particular Care, especially to keep them Dry, must be taken of them They are packed in 40 Boxes. Advise of your Situation by every Opportunity and, if your Stay should be any Time and no Oportunity offers send an Express.¹