War Office,

Sir,

Boston Feby 21st 1777 —

Your orders are to proceed w1.th the first fair Wind & Suitable Weather to the Coast of Ireland, England and France, where you are to cruise until by manning your prizes or otherwise your men are reduced to 50 in number, or in Case your Circumstances otherwise require your going into Port, when you are to proceed to Nantz in the Kingdom of France -In your Cruise using your best Endeavours to take, burn, sink or destroy any armed or other Vessels, together with their Cargoes belonging to Great Britain and under proper prize Masters to send such Vessels & Cargoes as are taken into some safe port of the States of America preferring this State under whose Commission you more particularly act or into any Ports allied with or friendly to said States of America.

Upon your Arrival at Nantz you are order'd to apply to Messrs Jacques Gruel & Campy, & cleaning & refitting your Brigt take in as many Arms & other warlike Stores as you can conveniently stow, together with such Masters & Mariners of ,Vessels fitted out by this Board & sold there as you can accomodate & return to Boston or other safe Port in this State immediately, giving us the earliest possible Notice of your Arrival by Express. —

Recommending you to the Protector of the injured & oppress'd & wishing you a successful Cruise. We are,

By order of the Board [&c.]

Boston Feby 22d 1777 — I acknowledge the above to be a true Copy of the Orders I have receiv'd from the Honble Board of War, & promise to obey the same.

John Clouston