By the Commissioners for executing
the Office of Lord High Admiral of
Great Britain & Ireland.

To the Rt Honble Molyneux Shuldham Esqr Vice Admiral of the Blue, hereby Appointed Commander in Chief of His Majestys Ships at Plymouth.

By Virtue of the power and Authority to Us given, We do hereby constitute and Appoint You Commander in Chief of His Majestys Ships and Vessels at Plymouth willing and requiring You forthwith to take upon You the Charge and Command of the said Ships and Vessels as Commander in Chief accordingly, hereby charging all Captains, Commanders and Officers, and Companies belonging to His Majesty's said Ships and Vessels, to be obedient to you their Commander in Chief, and You likewise to observe and follow such Orders and directions as You shall from time to time receive from Us or any other your Superior Officer for His Majesty's service.

And You are hereby empowered to hoist your Flag on board such One of His Majesty's Ships under your Command as you shall think proper, For which this shall be your Warrant. Given under Our Hands the 22d March 1777, in the seventeenth year of His Majesty's Reign.

By Command of their Lordships
Ph^p Stephens