In pursuance of the King's pleasure signified to Us by the Earl of Suffolk, One of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State; in his Letter of the 15th instant, You are hereby required and direoted to cause the Rebel Prisoners belonging to the American Armed Vessel the Dalton, lately taken and brought into Plymouth by the Raisonable, to be kept in safe Custody on board such of the Ships under your comman,d, as you shall judge most proper for that purpose, until you receive further Orders. Given &c the 17th January 1777.

To John Amherst Esqr
Vice Admiral of the Red
and Commander in Chief
of His Majtys Ships & Vessels
at Plymouth.
By &c PS