By &^c.

Whereas we have received intelligence that the Revenge, an American Privatier mounting 14 Carriage and 20 Swivel Guns manned with 50 Men and commanded by one Cunningham hath lately taken several Newfoundland and other Ships within sight of Corunna, and that, between the said place and Bilboa, not less than 18 Sail of the said privatiers were then cruizing. You are therefore the moment the provisions & stores of the Ship you command¹ are completed (for which we have given directions to Vice Admiral Lord Shuldham),and wind and weather will permit, hereby required & directed to put to Sea in the Ship you command and to proceed with all possible dispatch off Corunna, and upon your arrival, to send your Boat in with a Letter to the British Vice Consul for Intelligence and if you find that any Privatiers are in that neighbourhood, you are to proceed in quest of them, and to use your best endeavours to take or destroy them, cruizing very diligently for that purpose on such Stations as from the Intelligence you may receive shall be most likely to fall in with them; and having so done for the space of one Month after your arrival off Corunna make the best of your way back to Plymouth and remain there until you receive further Order, sending Us an account of your arrival & proceedings.

But if on your arrival off Corunna you shall learn that there are not any Privatiers in that or the neighbouring Ports, or on the adjacent Coast you are to proceed and cruize for the like purpose, and for the like time, off S^t. Andero, and then make the best of your way back to Plymouth as above directed. Given &^c. 10^th. Jan^y. 1778.

By &c P.S: