My Lord

My Lords Commrs of the Admty have just now received by Express a Letter from Mr Adams dated at Milford the 6th Instant, acquainting them that a Vessel was chased into that Port the proceeding day by two American Privatiers, one of which had 32 & the other 18 Guns besides Swivels; I am commanded by their Lordships to send you a Copy of Mr Adams's said Letter for your farther Information, & to signify their direction to you to order the Captain of the Exeter to proceed to Sea, without a moments Loss of time and cruize diligently between Milford Haven, the old Head of Kinsale, and the Scilly Islands, in quest of the Privatiers abovementioned, and use his best endeavours to take or destroy them, as also any other Privatiers or Vessels belonging to the Rebellious Colonies which he may fall in with, your Lordship will direct him to cruize one Month upon the Station abovementioned, calling alternately in Milford Haven, & at Cork, for any Intelligence he may be able to gain of the Rebel Cruizers, or for any Orders that may be lodged at those places for him, and not finding any directions to the contrary you will instruct him to return to Spithead at the expiration of the time beforementioned giving their Lordships an account of his arrival and proceedings & waiting their Orders for his further Proceedings.

If the Captain of the Exeter shou'd gain any well grounded Intelligence of any Rebel Cruizers being in the Neighbourhood, tho' not strictly within the limits, of the station abovementioned, your Lordship will signify to him that he is at Liberty to go in pursuit of such Rebel Cruizers, taking care to return to his Station when such pursuit is over—

I have only to add that it is their Lordships further direction You furnish any other Ships ordered to cruize to the Westward, which may be in your reach, with Mr Adams's Intelligence, & that you direct Capt Moore to do the like to any of His Majesty's Cruizers he may meet with. I have the honor to be &ca

P: S:

By Express on the 9h at ¾ past One in the Morning