Having received intelligence that there are two Arm'd Vessels belonging to the Rebels which lately escorted some others Laden with Flour down the Chesepeak bay, and are now supposed to be laying off Baltimore.
² You are therefore hereby required and directed to use all possible dispatch in getting his Majesty's Ship under your command ready for the Sea, to take with you the Liverpools Tender, which is now Cruizing about the Capes, and'proceed imediately up the Bay to Baltimore in search of the abovementioned Pirates, to pursue them wherever you may get intelligence of them, and to use every means in your power to take or destroy them.

When you arrive off Baltimore and should not be fortunate enough to meet with the Rebel Privateers, you are to endeavour to cut out of the harbour any vessels you may suspect to be Laden with any kind of Provisions or that have the appearance of being proper for Arming; and in case you should be obstructed in so doing, by the Town of Baltimore, you are imediately to fire upon the Town, and do your utmost to destroy it. And whereas it is expected that the Rebels have erected a Battery on a point which commands the Mouth of the River leading to Baltimore; should that prove to be so, and appear to be such that, it cannot possibly be destroyed with your force, you will in that case content your self with taking an exact Survey of it, rather than expose his Majesty's Arms to an insult:

And whereas his Majesty's Ships on this station are in great want of Provisions, particularly fresh Meat; When the above service shall have been effected, you will consult with Mr Goodridge [Bridger Goodrich] (who is to accompany you with an Armed Sloop) and use your best endeavours to procure a quantity of live Stock; And wherever you find the inhabitants disposed to Supply you, you are to pay them ready money for every thing you take from them; But if they refuse to do so you are to take it by force of Arms.

You are to annoy the Rebels by every means in your power, and to Seize and detain all American Vessels you may meet with, as well as those of any other Country that may be Trading with the Americans, and send them to me for examination.

Upon your return you are to call at Annapolis, and deliver the enclosed Packet to Governor [Robert] Edenー

It is expected that you perform these. services with as much expedition as possible, and by no means to be absent longer than 14 Days if it can be avoided when you are to join me in Hampton Road.

Given under my hand on board his Majesty's Ship the Roebuck off Norfolk in Virginia the 26th Feby 1776