Cawsand Bay, whichever may first be ready, and proceed with them
and the Caesar, with as little delay as possible, off Cadiz,
where you may expect to be joined by the Venerable and Superb,
which ships you are also to take under your command; and use
your best endeavours to prevent the enemy's ships at that port
from putting to sea, or to take or destroy them should they sail
from thence.

In the event of the enemy's squadron getting out of Cadiz
undiscovered, either before or after your arrival off that
place, you are to follow it, according to any well-grounded
intelligence you may be able to obtain of it; but you are not to
proceed in quest of it to any distant station, unless you should
receive such information as shall leave no doubt of the
certainty of the enemy's destination. If you should not be able
to obtain any information of the enemy's squadron so as to
enable you to follow it, you are in that case to repair with the
ships under your command off the Straits, and send into Tangier
and Gibraltar, and, finding that it has proceeded up the
Mediterranean, to follow it; but, not gaining any intelligence
of it, you are to resume your station off Cadiz, and remain
there until you shall receive some information whereby your
proceedings may be regulated.

And whereas it has been represented to us that three Portuguese
ships of the line are now fitting out in the Tagus for the
purpose of joining you and serving under your orders, you are,
on the arrival of the said ships, to take them under your
command, and employ them in such manner as you may judge most
advisable in carrying these, or any other orders you may receive
from us or from Admiral Lord Keith, (under whose command you are
to consider yourself,) into execution. And whereas we have
directed Admiral Sir Thomas Pasley to order one of the hired
brigs, and either a cutter or lugger, to follow your orders; you
are to take the commanders of these vessels under your command,
and, on your repairing to your station, you are to send one of
them into the Tagus for the purpose of apprizing his Majesty's
minister there of your situation, and for obtaining from him
such intelligence as he may have to give you.

Whilst you remain on this service, you are to send occasionally
to Lisbon for intelligence, and to keep a good look-out for any
French squadr