Whereas we intend that the Sloop you command together with the Sloop & Cutters named in the Margin, whose Commandg Officers are directed to obey your Orders, shall be employed to convoy the Linnen Ships & Trade passing between Ireland & England up the English Channel, You are hereby required & directed to make the best of your way in the Sloop you command to Dublin where you will either meet with, or be shortly joined by, the other Sloop & the Cutters abovemention'd, all of which you are to take under your command accordingly, And so soon, as application shall be made to you for that purpose by the principal Persons concern'd you are to proceed with the said Sloops & Cutters to Belfast & Newry and having collected at those Ports all the Linnen Ships or other Trade there bound to England whose Masters may he ready to sail & desirous of accompanying you, you are to repair with them to Dublin, & having done the like there, proceed with the whole of the said Linnen Ships & Trade to Spithead, taking all possible care of them during their Passage.
Upon your arrival at Spithead you are to make enquiry for & take under your convoy any Trade bound to Ireland which may be ready to sail and whose Masters may be desirous of accompanying you, and then make the best of your way back to Dublin; seeing such Trade in safely as far as your way & theirs may lie together.
You are to contrive to act in like manner, with the abovemention'd Sloops & Cutters until you receive further Order; taking care to transmit to our Secretary once a Week, if you have it in your power to do so an Account of your proceedings, and of any interesting Intelligence you may procure; & using your best endeavours to take or destroy any Privatiers or other Ships or Vessels belonging to the Rebellious Colonies of No America, which you may fall in with; but to be very careful not to expose the Ships or Vessels which may be under your convoy to danger upon that or any other account. Given &c. the 21st of August 1777.
By &c. P:S:
