‘Having detached the Sampson and Argo to St. Helena … you are to pursue your voyage with the Suffolk and Swift Sloop and the East India Company Ships under your Convoy, making the best of your way to the Cape of Good Hope where you may expect to find His Majesty's Ships named in the margin which have been sent to cruise off that Cape under Orders from Rear Admiral Gardner … and upon joining those Ships, or any of them, … you are to take them under your Command (their Captains being hereby directed to follow your Orders) and to prosecute your Voyage to the East Indies, proceeding to Madras and using your best endeavours to see the East India Company's Ships thither, or as far as your way and theirs may lie together; and having delivered to the Honble Rear-Admiral Cornwallis, Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Ships in the East Indies, or forwarded to him wherever he may be on that Station, put yourself and the ships and sloop which may be with you, under his Command, follow his Orders for your further Proceedings.

‘But if on your arrival in the East Indies you shall not find the above-mentioned Rear-Admiral, or any other officer of His Majesty’s Ships senior to yourself on that Station, you are in that case to employ the Force under your Command and such others of His Majesty’s Ships and Vessels as you may find there, or as may join you afterwards, in such manner as, upon consultation with His Excellency the Governor-General, or the Governor and Council of Madras, shall be judged best for the Protection of the Trade and Settlements of His Majesty’s Subjects and His Allies in the East Indies, until you receive further orders.