You are hereby required and directed to put to Sea in the Ship you command, with the very first Opportunity of Wind and Weather, and make the best of your Way off Cape Finisterre, and from thence to the Rock of Lisbon; between which Places you are to cruize very diligently for the Protection of the Trade of His Majesty's Subjects, and to use your best endeavours to take, or destroy, any Cruizers or other Vessels belonging to the Rebellious Colonies in No America, which you may be able to come up with.
You are to continue, upon the above Station, for one Month after your arrival thereupon, and then go into Lisbon to recruit the Ship's Water, and to enquire for Orders; And not finding any there to the contrary, you are to return and cruize, for the Space of one Month longer, upon the said Station, and for the said purpose, and then return to Plymouth Sound, & wait there for further Orders, sending Us an Account of your arrival and proceedings. Given &c the 2d January 1777.
Capn Marshall ー Arethusa ー Spithead.
Sandwich.
J. Buller.
H. Palliser.
By &c
P S.
