Printed circular order, signed by Troubridge, Adams, Garthshore and Marsden, and docketed 'Order from the Lords Comm[issioner]s. of the Adm[iralt]y. to take on destroy all ships & vessels belonging to the Batavian Republic - 16 June 1803.'

Printed on one side of a piece of laid paper roughly 31 x 19.5 cm. 21 lines. Clear and complete on lightly-aged laid paper with Britannia watermark. Headed 'By the Commissioners for Executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, &c.' and addressed 'To The respective Admirals, Captains, Commanders, and Commanding Officers of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels.' Signed by 'J. Troubridge', 'Jas. Adams', 'W Garthshore' and ('By Command of their Lordships') by 'Wm Marsden'. Begins 'WHEREAS the Right Honourable Lord Hobart, one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, hath acquainted Us by his Letter of this Date, that the State of Public Affairs in Holland had imposed upon His Majesty the necessity of recalling his Minister Plenipotentiary from the Hague, and that His Majesty had ordered Letters of Marque and Reprizals to be issued against Ships and Vessels of the Batavian Republic.' The recipients are required and directed 'to use your best endeavours to seize and destroy all Ships and Vessels belonging to the Batavian Republic, or to any Persons being Citizens of the said Republic, or inhabiting within any of the Territories thereof, which you may be able to fall in with accordingly. Given under our Hands the 16th June, 1803.'