[Admiralty Office] 7th April 1777
Sir
My Lords Commrs of the Admty having received well grounded information that a Schooner of about 70 Tons, 2 arm'd against Boats & commanded by one 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 clean'd & new fitted, I am commanded by their Lordships to signify their direction to you (in addition to their Orders to you of this date) to look out for & to endeavour to intercept the said Vessel and upon your so doing to secure & send to me unopen'd by one of your Officers immediately after your return to Spithead, the Dispatches & Papers you may find on board her I am &c.
Php Stephens
1. PRO, Admiralty 2/1333, LC Photocopy.
2. Jenifer, Captain Larkin Hammond.
