Sir

You being Commander of the arm'd Brig^a Massachusetts. Your orders are to proceed with the first fair wind on a Cruize from hence to the Coast of England Spain or Portugal,

In this Cruize you are to use your best exertions to Capture or destroy all Arm'd and other Vessells laden with British property

Should you meet with Fish or Lumber Vessells or Vessells from the Coast of Africa we advise your sending them to Martinico, consign'd to Mr.Godfrey Hutchinson Merch^t: and our Agent there. suitable Cargoes of Fish & Oyl you will send to Messrs. Gardoque & Sons Merch^ts. in Bilboa, Vessells with Mahogany Lignum Vita[e] & other dying Woods send either to Nantz or Bourdeaux if to Nantz consign them to Mess^rs. Morris Pliarne Penet & Comp^y., if to Bourdeaux consign them to Mess^rs Raimbeaux & C^o.1 our Correspondents in those Ports, all other prizes, that may be laden with provision, Cloathing Ammunition &^c. our orders are that you send them immediately to this or the nearest port on the Eastern Shore of this State, ordering all prize Masters to send immediate intelligence to this Board by Land and be careful with all Prizes to send the Papers by the Prize Master—

If on your Cruise you expend all your Men before you get on the Coast of Europe Then proceed back for this State. If not, Upon the European coast where you are at Liberty to touch at Nantes Burdeaux or Bilboa to Refitt if need be, Where you may apply to the Gentlemen before mention'd.—

If at Nantes, apply for what Goods you can bring home as P^r. Schedule if at Bourdeaux or Bilboa you should send in any prizes & should touch there then you are to desire the Gentlemen as above to advance as nigh the neet proceeds of the prizes as P^r. Schedule and, bring home with you, make all the dispatch you possibly can from any port you should put into, at the port you put in at If you take a Cargo in, on your homeward passage you are not to Cruize but make the best of your way home. if you should see any Sail and you judge you can take & Man her you may, but run no risk as you may have a Valuable Cargo on Board—

You will by all means send or bring in as many prisoners as you possibly can to the united States for the purpose of redeeming our suffering Seamen in the hands of the Enemy. Recommending to you the giving us all possible intelligence from Time [to] Time & we wish you a good Cruize & a safe Return.—& are Y^r. Friends &^c

War Office 31 January 1778.
The foregoing are Copy of my Orders which I promise to observe.

Jn^o: Lambert²

Mem^o. of Sundries to be Shipt on Board the Brig^a Massachusetts Capt^n. Lambert Vizt.

50 Barrels Powder
1000 Blanketts 3 point 
600 P^s. Linnen. ¾ fit for Soldiers Shirts
¼ d^o. for Officers
cost 1/6 to 2/6 Sterl^g.

Lead to Ballast
2000 P^r. Soldiers Yarn Hose
2000 P^r. d^o. Shoes large & Strong if not large & strong
send none