Sir

You are to proceed from this to the Island of Martinicoe and there deliver the inclosed Letter & your Cargoe to Mr Rd Harrison, who will be there to receive it and dispatch you back.

If any Accident should have prevented Mr Harrisons getting to the Island, You are in that case to open his Letter, sell Your Cargoe at the very highest Prices you can get; the Money arising from the Sales you must lay out in Gun Powder if you can get it, if not, in Musketts & if they are not to be had, Salt Petre & Sulphur & if you cannot get those Articles, then lay out the whole in Strong course Linnens; And take care you are not imposed on in your Purchasess. As soon as you have done your Business make the best of your way home, and avoid Speaking with Vessells on the Coast; when you come into the Lattitude of our capes, if you have a Strong fair wind in, push up the Bay as far as posible, and if you find it failing run into some small Harbour & there wait till you have a favorable opportunity to get into Potomack, Patuxent, or Annapolis. if you find a better chance of getting into any of the inlets between Cape Charles & Cape Henlopen, than into our Bay, You may push into one of them, and send an express to the Councill of safety, letting them know where you are & what you have got, but take care & land your Goods under the care of a Committee as soon as you can, for fear of being followed by the Tenders.

In going out you had better take a brisk Gale of Wind, or get out by Moon light of Nights, as the Tenders commonly keep a Strict watch at the Capes in the day time. I hope you will behave with care & Industry on this Voyage, & I have no doubt of its recommending you to the Command of a better Vessell. if you are chased & find you must be taken, throw all your Papers overboard, with Weights to sink them. Wishing you a good Voyage I am Sir [&c.]

Instructions to Capt Scott Sloop Batchelor