Orders Given the Several Captains in the Fleet

SIR: You are hereby ordered to keep company with me, if possible, and truly observe the signals given by the ship I am in, but in case you should be separated in a gale of wind or otherwise, you then are to use all possible means to join the fleet as soon as possible; but if you cannot, in four days after you leave the fleet, you are to make the best of your way to the southern part of Abacco, (one of the Bahama Islands,) and there wait for the fleet fourteen days. But if the fleet does not join you in that time, you are to cruise in such places as you think will most annoy the enemy. And you are to send into port, for trial, all British vessels, or property, or other vessels, with any supplies for the Ministerial forces, who you may make yourself master of, to such places as you may think best within the United Colonies.

In case you are in any very great danger of being taken, you are to destroy these orders and your signals.

ESECK HOPKINS, Commandant-in-Chief.