Whereas we have received information that a small American Schooner Privatier of 2 Guns & 6 Swivels Mannd with 23 Men (4 of whom are Frenchmen) was lately Cruizing off of Rock Dovie about 7 Leagues to the Southward of Guernsey;² You are hereby required & directed to put to Sea in the Cutter you command with the very first opportunity of Wind & Weather & proceed & Cruize between the Isle of Bas & the Isle of Brehat diligently looking out for & endeavouring to take or destroy the said Privatier & any other Privatiers or other Ships or Vessels belonging to the Rebellious Colonies of No America which you may be able to come up with.

You are to continue upon the above Station for the space of Ten Days after your arrival thereupon And then, in case you do not fall in with the above Privatier or receive any well grounded intelligence which may give you a probability of doing so or of your meeting with any other Privatiers belonging to the said Colonies which may be upon the said Station or in the Neighbourhood thereof You are to make the best of your way back to Plymouth where you are to remain until you receive further Order; sending Us an Account of your arrival &proceedings. Given &c 10th June 1777

Lt Gaborian — Sherburne Cuttr — Dartmo
By &c PS