In order to enable you more effectually to carry into Execution my Orders to you dated the 25th and 27th May and 17th of June, for seizing and sending to Boston all Vessels laden with Arms and Ammunition, Provisions, Grain, Flour, Salt, Melasses and Wood: You are hereby required and directed to cruize in his Majesty's Sloop [Merlin] under your Command between Cape Ann and Cape Cod, anchoring occasionally at Marblehead or Salem, and putting to Sea again as you shall think best for the Kings Service: And you are also at Liberty to extend your Cruize to the Isle of Shoals or Piscatagua River, but not to anchor at either place, unless constrained there to by bad weather or any unavoidable accident, but to return again and Examine the Bay of Salem and the Harbours therein, in order if possilble to prevent every Kind of Supply getting to the Rebels by Sea. And whereas his Majesty's Schooner Hope is stationed within the Limits of your Command, for the same purpose of cutting off the Rebels Supplies You are to take Lieutt [George] Dawson under your Command and employ him and the said Schooner in the most effectual manner you can to answer the above purposes, the punctual Execution of these Orders being at this time of very great consequence to the Kings Service. And in respect to pressing from Vessels fishing to supply the Towns of Marblehead and Salem; You are hereby required and directed not to impress any of the said Fishermen so long as your Boats are allowed to land at the sd Towns to purchase and bring away such things as his Majesty's Service may require, but whenever that Intercourse shall be stopped on their parts or they shall act in an hostile manner towards any of the Squadron, You are then to seize not only their People but their Boats and send them to Boston, or otherwise dispose of them as upon your representing the circumstances I shall hereafter direct.

Given &c. 5 July 1775.