By &c^a.

Whereas we have received Intelligence, upon which great reliance may be had, and of which You will herewith receive three Extracts,*¹ that a great number of ships, as well French as American, have been loaded in the different Ports of France with Cargoes of Warlike Stores and other Supplies for the use of the Rebels in North America, that several of them are assembling, particularly from the Ports of Nantz, Rochelle & Bourdeaux, in order to sail in company; and that they are to be convoyed a considerable distance from the Coast of France by a Squadron of French Men of War; And Whereas it is of the greatest importance to His Majesty's Service that the Ships laden with the Cargoes beforementioned should be intercepted; You are therefore, in pursuance of His Majesty's pleasure signified by the Earl of Sandwich, hereby required and directed to proceed with the Ship You command,² and the several Ships named in the Margin³ (whose Captains are directed to follow your orders) and cruize on the Meridian of Cape Finisterre between the Latitude of 47º..00' North and the said Cape for the time hereafter mentioned, most diligently looking out for the Ships above described; And in case of falling in with them, You are to examine them, notwithstanding any remonstrance that may be made against it by the Commanding Officer of the Convoy, and if you shall be satisfied that the Ships you so examine are the Ships pointed out by the enclosed Intelligence, and that they are laden with Cargoes for the purpose thereinmentioned, You are to seize them, and to bring or send them, under the charge of proper Officers, into one of His Maj^ts. Ports; taking care that the several Articles on board be effectually secured until His Majesty's farther pleasure shall be known, and that notice of their arrival, with the grounds & circumstances of their seizure, be sent to our Secretary, by Express, for our information.—But in the execution of those Orders you will take care that the intercourse you may have with the Commanding Officer of the Convoy be (so far as is consistent with the proper dis- charge of your duty) conducted in such terms of civility on your part that, if any remonstrance shall be made from the Court of France there be no ground to charge you with any failure therein.

You are, while employed on this Service, to use your endeavours to take or destroy any Armed Vessels or others belonging to the Rebellious Colonies that you may meet with; And you are to gwe such protection to the Trade of His Majesty's Subjects that may fall in your way, as they may stand in need of, and may be consis- tent with your attention to the main Object of these Instructions.

You are to continue upon this Service for five weeks after you arrive upon your Station, and then return with the Squadron under your command to Spithead, sending Us an account of your arrival, & proceedings, and waiting there until you receive our further orders.

In the Orders you issue to the Captains of the Ships under your Command, while employed on the forementioned Service, you are to enjoin them to the strictest secrecy, and you are to observe the same Yourself. Given &C^a. 26^th. January 1778.

By &c. PS.