By &c
So soon as the number of Men on board the Ship you command shall be completed to 500 for which we have given directions to Vice Admiral Sir James Douglas, and you shall have received on board the sum of £10,000 for carrying on the payments & Recalls of His Majesty's Ships at Plymouth, which we have directed the Navy Board to cause to be delivered into your charge, You are hereby required arnd directed to put to Sea with the first opportunity of Wind and Weather, and make the best of your way to Plymouth, where you are to deliver the said money according to its consignment, and then proceed and cruize without a moments loss of time off the Capes Ortegal and Finisterre (ranging about within 30 Leagues from either of them) for the protection of the Trade of His Majesty's Subjects, and diligently to look out for, and upon falling in with, to use your best endeavours to take or destroy any Privatiers or other Ships or Vessels belonging to the Rebellious Colonies of North America.
You are to continue upon the above Statiion for one month after the making either of the above Capes, or the Land near the same, and then return without loss of time to Spithead for further Order sending Us an account of your arrival & proceedings. Given &c the 1st Febry 1777.
Captn Reynolds ー Augusta ー Spithead.
By &c
PS.
J. Buller.
Palmerston.
Lisburne.