Sir

My Lords Commrs of the Admiralty having received well grounded Information that a schooner of about 70 Tons ² armed against Boats, & commanded by one [Larkin] Hammond, a little man who wears a green uniform with red Lappels & anchor Buttons lately arrived at Nantz from Baltimore in Maryland with Dispatches from the Congress, is to return with other dispatches when cleaned and new fitted, so that her paint &c can't be described. And it being of very great consequence that the said Vessel should be intercepted and seized, & the Dispatches and Papers she may have on board, secured, I am commanded by their Lordships to signify their direction to you, notwithstanding former Orders to proceed and cruize in the ship you command, without a moments loss of time, between Ushant ai:id Cape Finisterre, for the space of 3 Weeks, after the Time of your passing the first of those Places & use your utmost vigilance, attention & diligence to intercept the said Vessel, & upon your doing so, to make the best of your way with her to Spithead securing the People, & also the Dispatches and Papers you may find on board her & sending the latter by one of your own Officers to me, in the manner directed by my letter to you of the St Instant in respect to such as might have been found on board the other Vessels therein mentioned.

In case you do not fall in with the abovementioned Schooner in the time before limited, or see any great probability of doing so soon, it is their Lordships further directions to you to make the best of your way; in the Ship you command to Spithead & remain there until you receive further Orders, sending to me, by Express for their Lords Information, an account of your arrival and Proceedings I am &c

[Endorsed] Enclosed to V A. Sir Jas Douglas by Express at ¼ past 7 P M