Sir

I have received and communicated to my Lords Commrs of the Admiralty your Letter of the 4h of last Month acquainting them with your return to Gibraltar; with the advices you had received of an american armed Vessel being cruizing off Cape St Vincent, and with your having ordered the Alarm and Levant to cruize off that Cape, and Cape Roaent, in search of the said armed Vessel and in return I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you that they very well approve of your having done so I am also commanded to acquaint you that their Lordships intend to order the Worcester to sail from Spithead the first fair wind after the 25h instant as Convoy to the Trade bound to Spain, Portugal and the Mediterranean; seeing the latter as far as Gibraltar, and after waiting there twenty one Days return to England with such homeward bound Trade as may be ready and willing to accompany her.

If upon the arrival of the Worcester with the Trade at Gibraltar you judge it necessary to send a Convoy with the latter up the Mediterranean their Lordships recommend it to you to send one of the Ships of your Squadron, with them as far as you think may be proper for their Security, but upon no account whatever to divert the Worcester from the prosecution of the orders her Captain will receive from their Lordship. I am &c

(By the Post)