By Captain Robert Fanshawe Commander of His Majesty's Ship the Carysfort.
As soon as the Perseus is ready you are to proceed in her to cruize off Charles Town, Sth. Carolina, where in ten days at farthest you may expect to meet His Majesty's Ship the Lizard (according to my order to Captain Mackenzie, a copy of which you herewith receive).
You are there to employ the Perseus and Lizard in cruizing on the coasts of the Carolinas in order to intercept any supplies carrying into the ports of those Provinces, to prevent any trade and communication with the rebellious inhabitants thereof, and to take or destroy any armed vessels provided by them, by every means in your power.
Charles Town being the place of greatest resort of foreigners bringing supplies to the Rebels in the southern Colonies you are to give your chief attention to that port, and so to direct that one ship, at least, may be off it once in five days at furthest.
As soon as the Carysfort's water and provisions are complete I will proceed in her to join you. If in the mean time you should find yourself encumbered with a number of prisoners, you may exchange them, as you may be able, for British captives of equal rank, except foreign officers, or His Majesty's European subjects, serving the Rebels, whom you are not to exchange.
Given [&c.] off Augustine the 26th Day of November, 1777.
P.S.—Since writing the above Order I have received intelligence from His Excellency Governor Tonyn of several vessels being seen to sail from Tybee and Sunbury in Georga, laden with rice, indigo and tobacco, under convoy of an American sloop mounting twelve four-pounders, as mentioned in the account given to you, but as your joining the Lizard seems to me of material consequence, you will be pleased to make that your first object, and you will afterwards take such steps as you may judge proper respecting these vessels from Georgia, but so as that one frigate at least may be off Charles Town as above directed.
