Whereas we intend that the Ship you command shall convoy the Trade bound to Spain, Portugal and the Mediterranean; You are hereby required and directed so soon after the 6th instant; as the Wind shall have been fair for 24 Hours to bring Ships from the Downes, to make enquiry for and take under your Convoy all such of the said Trade as may be assembled and ready to sail, and putting to Sea with the very first opportunity of Wind and Weather, proceed with them towards the places of their respective destinations; And, having seen into Oporto, Lisbon, and Cadiz, such of the said Trade as may be bound to those Ports, & to Gibralter, such as may be bound up the Mediterranean, You are to complete the Provisions & Stores of the Ship you command at Gibralter with all possible dispatch, and then make the best of your way to Newfoundland, ( taking care not to convey thither any Seamen or other Persons, but such as belong to the Ship you command,) and passing over the Grand Bank in the Latitude 46° : 30" use your best endeavours to take or destroy any Ships or Vessels belonging to the Rebellious Colonies of No America which may happen to be on that Bank, either for the purpose of fishing or trading, or annoying and disturbing the Fishery carrying on there by His Majesty's other Subjects; and then making the Land about Cape Race, run up to the Northward as high as St John's, calling at the several Ports on that Coast for the Protection of the Fisheries and Trade of His Majesty's said Subjects, and to give them any Assistance they may stand in need of; And having so done, You are to continue to Cruize between St John's and Cape Race, using your utmost diligence to protect and defend the fisheries carrying on by His Majesty's said Subjects within that Station; and to take or destroy any Ships or Vessels belonging to the aforesaid Rebellious Colonies, or any other Piratical Ships or Vessels, which may be found within the above Limits, or in the Neighbourhood thereof; And in the execution of that Service to observe the following Instructions. Vizt

1st

You are agreeable to an Act of Parliament of the 10th and 11th Years of King William the 3d Entitled an Act to encourage the Trade to Newfoundland of which you will receive herewith; to be aiding & assisting to the Admirals, Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals, of the respective Ports and Harbours of Newfoundland, from time to time, as need shall require in preserving the Peace and good Government among the Seamen and Fishermen, and in apprehending Offenders.

2d

You are not to lend any of your Ship's Company to any of the Fishing Ships, neither are you to suffer to be taken on board her any sort of Fish either by way of Merchandize, Freight or otherwise, excepting what shall be necessary for the use and spending of her Company.

3d

And, Whereas the Lords Commissrs for Trade and Plantations have represented to Us, that it is very prejudicial to this Kingdom that the Fishing Ships do not bring home from Newfound Land the Complement of Men they carry out, many of them being enticed away to New England, and others left in the Country; And for that reason have desired that it might be signified to the Masters of all British Ships at Newfound Land, that they take care to bring home the number of Men they carry out, (except in case of death,) for that otherwise they will be prosecuted at their return; You are to let the Masters know the same accordingly; And to use your best endeavours to oblige them thereto, as far as in you lies.

4th

And, whereas no Foreign Ships or Vessels whatever, (except as is herein after excepted) have any right to fish at, or about Newfound-Land, and the Commanders of the Ships of War bound as Convoy thither have, at all times past, been directed not to allow of their fishing in those parts; it is therefore His Majesty's Pleasure, that you take especial care to prevent the Same, and that His Orders given herein be strictly complied with; And if you shall meet with any foreign Ships fishing at or about Newfound-Land, You are to oblige them to desist and depart from off the Coast; excepting Ships and Vessels belonging to the Subjects of His Most Christian Majesty, fishing agreeable to the 13th Article of the Treaty of Peace concluded with France at Utrecht in the Year 1713, and to the 4th 5th & 6th Articles of the Treaty of Peace concluded at Paris the 10th Day of February 1763. Copies of which you will receive herewith. Given &c the 2d January 1777.

Captn Linzee ー Surprize ー Portsmouth.

By &c.
P S.