Order, 8 March 1705, Edinburgh

Act, 12 March 1705, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh the Eight day of March Jaj vijc and fyve years

A1705/3/71

Order

[Instructions for Captain Thomas Gordon]

By the Lords of her Majesties most Honourable Privie Counsell of Scotland.
The Instructions following are given to Captain Thomas Gordon Commander of her Majesties Shipe the Royall Mary, In prosecution and for better executing of his Commission, And to be by him punctuallie observed upon his perrill.
1. You are Imediatly to Saill to the Northward, Take under yor Convoy all vessells bound that way, And carfully see each of them Safely into ther respective harbours, So farr as Orkney, Then yow are to returne, And call allong the coast for all vessells bound to the firth.
2. If no vessells be ready to come out of Norbours when yow call, yow are to cruise Ten dayes betwixt Tinmouth barr and Orkney, And call att Tinmouth what vessells may be ther bound to the Firth, whom yow are carefully to see within the Island of May, Then yow are to returne to the Northward, as farr as Orkney, And bring along with yow all vessells who are ready.
3. Att any tyme when yow come to Leith-Road, If ther be any Ships bound to London, yow are carefully to See them the length of Tinmouth barr, and being from thence all Ships as yow are appoynted above, All which yow are to observe dureing the tyme the Shipe is keept in pay.
4. Yow are carefully from tyme to tyme to advyse ws of all that occurrs dureing your cruise.
5. Yow are to defend yowrselfe and all Ships wnder yor 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 uttermost of yor power, And to endeavour by all yor force to Subdue them and make and bring them in as pryze to be declaired Such.
6. Yow are also as yow find occasion, and yorselfe in condition to attack and Sett upon all her Majesties Saids enemies, And endeavour by all yor force to Subdue them, And Seaze ther Ships and Goods.
7. Yow are also to Search all Ships goeing to or comeing from France or Spain or any of the dominions belonging to the saids kingdoms, and if yow find them carrieing counter-band goods to any enemyes Country, To seare them, ther Ships and haill goods, and bring them in as pryze.
8. If yow find any of our Allyes, who are now in warr with France and Spain, trading to any of these kingdoms, Isles or dominions therto belonging yow are to Seaze them, and bring them in as pryze.
9. Yow are to keep exact journalls of all that occurs dureing yor Cruise, And to observe the tyme of yor cruising, And all other articles contained in yor Contract with the Lords of her Majesties Theasaurie, Given at Edinburgh the Eight day of March Jaj vijc and fyve years Sic Subscribitur Tweeddale Cancellr I.P.D.

At Edinburgh 8 March 1705

A1705/3/71

Order

[Instructions for Captain Thomas Gordon]

By the lords of her majesty’s most honourable privy council of Scotland.
The instructions following are given to Captain Thomas Gordon, commander of her majesty’s ship the Royal Mary, in prosecution and for better executing of his commission, and to be by him punctually observed upon his peril.
1. You are immediately to sail to the northward, take under your convoy all vessels bound that way, And carefully see each of them safely into their respective harbours, so far as Orkney. Then you are to return, and call along the coast for all vessels bound to the firth.
2. If no vessels be ready to come out of harbours when you call, yow are to cruise ten days between Tyne Mouth bar and Orkney, and call at Tyne Mouth, what vessels may be there bound to 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 you all vessels who are ready.
3. At any time when you come to Leith Road, if there be any ships bound to London, you are carefully to see them the length of Tyne Mouth bar, and being from thence all ships as you are appointed above, all which you are to observe during the time the ship is kept in pay.
4. You are carefully from time to time to advise us of all that occurs during your cruise.
5. 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.
6. You are also as you find occasion, and yourself in condition, to attack and set upon all her majesty’s said enemies, and endeavour by all your force to subdue them, and seize their ships and goods.
7. 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.
8. If you find any of our allies, who are now in war with France and Spain, trading to any of these kingdoms, isles, or dominions thereto belonging, you are to seize them, and bring them in as prize.
9. 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 8 March 1705 Sic Subscribitur Tweeddale chancellor I.P.D.

1. NRS, PC1/53, 369.

1. NRS, PC1/53, 369.