Sir The close watch kept by a number of the Enemy's Ships at the Capes renders the probability of your geting out very uncertain, however as Opportunitys do Sometimes offer, which may be lost if you are delay'd to receive my Orders, I do now Authorise you to depart whenever a favourable Opty offers, of which you may be daily advised at York, but let me Caution you not to venture without a fair Opportunity of Escaping, to keep a good lookout & return if you apprehend probable danger. If you get out I would advise you to keep the Land on board either to the Northward or South­ward as the Wind may happen in as Shoal water as you can venture, until you think you [are] out of the Track of the Men of War, & to Stretch out about Merridian So that if you discover a Sail you may either put back or take Steps to avoid her as the Night comes on & by having part of the day, the Night will push you So far out that you may be out of danger by the Morning & I would advise you just at day light every morning while you are near the Coast to furl your Sails as it is at that time that Vessels are most likely to fall in near the Enemy & if a Sail is in view you will discover them before she can you & by that means may avoid them by lying still unless their course should be towards you. I also am instructed to advise you to make a good offing & to make the Coast of New England as far to the East­ ward as Casco Bay & to Coast it along to Boston, where God send you may arrive in Safety Yours