By &c

So soon as the Complement of the Ship you command shall be completed for which we have given directions to the Senior Officer at the Nore, you are hereby required & directed to put to Sea, without a moment's loss of time & proceed and Cruize between the Naze of Nor­way, the Coast of Jutland & the Entrance to Gottenburg for the pro­tection of the Trade of His Majestys Subjects in those parts & diligently to look out for, & to use your best endeavours to take or destroy, any Privatiers, or other Ships or Vessels, belonging to the Rebellious Col­onies in No America which you may be able to come up with.

And in case you shall receive well founded Intelligence that any Privatiers or other Ships or Vessels belonging to the Rebellious Col­onies abovementioned are Cruizing in parts contiguous to tho' not actually within the Station you are hereby directed to Cruize upon, you are at liberty to proceed in quest of them, taking care to return immediately to the said Station so soon as you shall have taken de­stroyed or driven them away or be thoroughly satisfied that none such are there.

You are, on your way to the abovementioned Station, to call off Hamburgh to gain Intelligence from the Pilot Boats if any such Priva­tiers are in those Parts, and to inform Mr Mathias the British Resident there by Letter of your being in those Seas; And when you get off Got­tenburgh you are to make the same enquiry, & to send the like infor­mation to the British Consul there.

You are to continue upon the above Station for the space of one Month after your arrival thereupon, & then repair without loss of time to the Downes & remain there until you receive further order sending to our Secretary an Account of your arrival & proceedings. Given &c. 23d Augt 1777.

By &c. PS