Order, 7 March 1706, Edinburgh

Procedure: committee formed, 28 December 1706, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh the Sevinth day of March Jaj vijc and Six years

A1706/3/51

Order

Sailling orders for Captain Thomas Gordon

By the Lords of her Majesties most honourable privie Councell of the Kingdome of Scotland The Instructions following are given to Captain Thomas Gordon Commander of her Majesties Ship the Royal William, and Commander of the Scots friggotts, In prosecution and for better executeing of his Commission, And to be by him punctuallie observed wpon his perrill.
First Yow are att and against the first day of Apryll nixt to come to Saill from the Road of Leith to the Northward In company with the Royall Mary Commanded by Captain James Hamillton, who is to receive orders from yow from tyme to tyme, as Comadore, And take wnder your Convoy all vessells bound that way, And carefullie see each of them Safe into ther respective harbours so farr as Orknay Then yow are to returne and Call along the Coast for all vessells bound to the First, Secundlie, If no vessells be ready to come out of harbours when yow call, yow are to cruise ten dayes betwixt Tinmouth barr and Orknay, And Call at Tinmouth for what vessells may be ther, bound for the firth whom yow are carefully to See within the Island of May, Then yow are to return to the Northward as farr as Orknay, and bring alonge with yow all vessells that are ready. Thirdly Att any tyme when yow come to Leith Road, If ther be Ships bound for London, yow are carefully to See them the length of Tinmouth-barr, And bring from thence all Ships as yow are appoynted. above; all which yow are to observe dureing the tyme the Ship is keept in pay. Fourthly, yow are carfully from tyme to tyme to advyse ws of all that occurrs dureing your cruise. Fiftly yow are to defend yourselfe againd all Ships wnder your Convoy Against all her Majesties enemies, whither French or Spanish, and all others with whom her Majestie Is at present ingaged in warr, who shall presume to attack yow, to the outtermost of your power, And to endeavour by all your force to Subdue them, and make and bring them in as pryze to be declaired such. Sixtly yow are also as yow find occasion, and yourselfe in condition, to attack and sett up all her Majesties Saids enemies, And endeavour by all 2 force to Subdue them, and Sease ther Ships and goods. Sevinthly. Yow are also to Search all Ships goeing to or comeing from France or Spaine, or any of the dominions belonging to the saids Kingdoms, And if yow find them carrieing Counterband goods to any enemies Countrie, To Sease them ther Ships and haill goods, and bring them in as pryze. Eightly. Yow are to keep exact Journalls of all that occurs dureing your Cruize, And to observe the tyme of your Cruizeing, And all other articles Contained in your Contract with the Lords of her Majesties Theasaury, Given att Edinburgh the Sevinth day of March Jaj vijc and Six years.

At Edinburgh 7 March 1706

A1706/3/51

Order

Sailing orders for Captain Thomas Gordon

By the lords of her majesty’s most honourable privy council of the kingdom of Scotland, the instructions following are given to Captain Thomas Gordon, commander of her majesty’s ship the Royal William, and commander of the Scots frigates, in prosecution and for better executing of his commission, and to be by him punctually observed upon his peril.
First, you are at and against the first day of April next to come to sail from the road of Leith to the northward, in company with the Royal Mary, commanded by Captain James Hamilton, who is to receive orders from you from time to time, as commadore, and take under your convoy all vessels bound that way, and carefully see each of them safe into their respective harbours so far as Orkney. Then you are to return and call along the coast for all vessels bound to the first. Secondly, if no vessels be ready to come out of harbours when you call, you are to cruise ten days between Tynemouth bar and Orkney, and call at Tynemouth for what vessels may be there bound for the firth, whom you are carefully to see within the Isle of May, then you are to return to the northward as far as Orkney, and bring along with yow all vessels that are ready. Thirdly, at any time when you come to Leith Road, if there be ships bound for London, you are carefully to see them the length of Tynemouth bar, and bring from thence all ships as you are appointed above, all which you are to observe during the time the ship is kept in pay. Fourthly, you are carefully from time to time to advise us of all that occurs during your cruise. Fifthly, you are to defend yourself and all ships under your convoy against all her majesty’s enemies, whether French or Spanish, and all others with whom her majesty is at present engaged in war, who shall presume to attack you, to the utmost of your power, and to endeavour by all your force to subdue them, and make and bring them in as prize to be declared such. Sixthly, you are also as you find occasion, and yourself in condition, to attack and set up all her majesty’s said enemies, and endeavour by all force to subdue them, and seize their ships and goods. Seventhly, you are also to search all ships going to or coming from France or Spain, or any of the dominions belonging to the said kingdoms, and if you find them carrying contraband goods to any enemy’s country, to seize them, their ships, and whole goods, and bring them in as prize. Eighthly, you are to keep exact journals of all that occurs during your cruise, and to observe the time of your cruising, and all other articles contained in your contract with the lords of her majesty’s treasury. Given at Edinburgh 7 March 1706.

1. NRS, PC1/53, 451.

2. Sic.

1. NRS, PC1/53, 451.