You are hereby required and directed to proceed to Sea imediately with the Tender, Lord Howe, under your commd and cruize off the Mouth of the River Delaware, placing yourself in the best manner you can to intercept any vessels going in or coming out of Philadelphia, which you are to Seize and detain, and send round to Norfolk.

And whereas I have ordered the Kingsfisher Sloop to the Same Station, you are, while you may happen to be together, to put your self under Captain Graeme's command, and to use your utmost endeavours to procure as many Pilots for the River Delaware and the Coast as you possibly can.

You are to continue on this Station for ten days, when you are to return and join me here, and in case of not finding the Roebuck in Hampton Road, to proceed again to the Mouth of the Delaware, where the Roebuck will in all probability be cruizing, or At Anchor in Hore Kill roadー

Given under my hand on board His Majesty's Said Ship the 7th March 1776