You are hereby required and directed forthwith to proceed in his Majs Sloop under your Command to Marblehead, where you are to use your utmost Endeavours to prevent all kinds of illicit and contraband Trade agreeably to the general Orders and the other Orders and Directions you will receive herewith. Lieut. [Alexander] Graeme commanding his Majs Ship Lively, whom you are to relieve, will give you such Information of the Place and Inhabitants &c as are necessary for the better carrying on the Kings Service at Marblehead, where you are to remain until further Order and whereas I have directed Lieutt [George] Dawson in his Majs Schooner Hope to lye at Anchor at Salem, or cruise occasionally, the better to prevent the Rebels receiving Supplies of Provisions, Fuel, Salt and Melasses as the said Lieut Dawson shall send or bring to Marblehead, until they have entered at the Custom House, and are cleared again for Boston, where you are to send them round either with hands from the Merlin or by the Hope Schooner, which shall be found most proper.

Given under my Hand on board his Majs. Ship Preston at Boston the 27th May 1775