In consequence of a representation from Lieut Governor Arbuthnot, that a Pirate Sloop of Eight Carriage Guns and upwards of a Hundred Men, has done infinite Mischief in the Bason of Minas, You are hereby required and directed to proceed to Sea at Daylight with His Majesty's Sloop under your Command, and make the best of your Way into the Bay of Fundy, and from thence into the Bason of Minas, and so on to Windsor, and follow the best Intelligence You can procure for pursuing the said Pirate Vessel, or any other who may infest that
Coast, For the accomplishing which you are to apply for Intelligence to Col: Tounge, or Mr Deschamps at Windsor But in case you should not receive any Material Information at Windsor, you are then to proceed to Cumberland and advise with Colonel Goreham, or the Commanding Officer of the Kings Troops at that Place; after which if no Intelligence of consequence presents itself, You are to look into the Harbour of Annapolis [Royal] and act as Circumstances may require.
In going allong the Coast of Nova Scotia, if you should meet with the Gage Armed Vessel, or the Loyal-Nova Scotia Armed Schooner, You are to take them under your Command, as you may judge it necessary to send them up the Bay of Cobequet, or on some other Service.
If you find every Thing quiet, and that the Inhabitants have no Apprehension of an Invasion from the Rebels, You are afterwards to, return to this Port for further Orders.
Given on board His Majesty's Ship Rainbow in the
Harbour of Halifax the 9th of November 1776.
[Endorsed] No 3 Vulture
