Vice Admiral James Young to Philip Stephens, October 23, 1775

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[Endorsed]

COPY of a letter from Vice Adml Young Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships & Vessels at the Leeward Islands, to Mr Stephens dated on board the Portland in English Harbour Antigua 23d October 1775.

The 7th of October arrived at English Harbour. Captn Gordon in His Majts Ship Argo, and brought answers to the Letters I had wrote to the Governors &c. of all His Majesty's Carribbee Islands Copies of which are inclosed; as is likewise Copies of two Letters, (deliver'd to Captn Gordon at Barbados) from the Governor of Bermuda, setting forth the Powder Magazine at said Island, had been broke open, in the Night of the 14th of Augt last, and upwards of one hundred barrels of Powder (the greater part of what was there) was stolen, and carried off, either to Philadelphia, or South Carolina, as he supposes.

I have likewise transmitted herewith, for the further information of Government, Copy of Intelligence given me by Captn Gordon, of a new mode of carrying on a Contraband Trade, from the French Islands to North America, by American Vessels, loading Powder & warlike Stores, at the French Ports and then taking on board a French nominal Master who (in case of Examination at Sea) is to produce a fictitious Bill of Sale for the Vessel and call her his Property; In consequence of this intelligence I immediately order'd Captn Gordon of the Argo to proceed to the Island of Guadaloupe, and deliver'd a Letter from me (Copy of which I have likewise in closed) To the Count De Nosier, His Most Christian Majesty's Govr General of all the (French) Windward Caribee Islands to acquaint him with the Information I had receiv'd, of the above very disgraceful & infamous Traffick, & desired he may immediately put a stop thereto. And I flatter myself their Lordships will approve of my doing so.

I have further transmitted, Copy of a Printed Paper, numbers of which, (I am informed) have been circulated (by the American Masters of Vessels) amongst the trading People in these Islands, to induce them to supply Gunpowder & Warlike Stores to the North American Rebels.² I am &c

Jam^s Young

P.S. Before Captn Gordon was arrived at Guadaloupe with my Dispatch. The County De Nosier (His most Christian Majesty's Governor General &c.) had forwarded me the inclosed Letter, mark'd No 11 to which I have return'd an Answer as P Copy herewith, mark'd No 12. Captn Gordon is not return'd from Guadaloupe, with the Count De Nosier's Answer to my Letter, so that I cannot by the present Opportunity acquaint their Lordships with the final result of this matter.

J. Y.

1. PRO, Colonial Office, 5/122, 53b.

2. Circular of a resolution of Congress, dated July 15, 1775, with Admiral Young's endorsement under date of October 23, 1775:
Whereas the Government of Great Britain hath prohibited the exportation of Arms & Ammunition, to any of the Plantations, and endeavoured to prevent other Nations from supplying us. Resolved ー That for the better furnishing these Colonies with the necessary means of defending their Right, every Vessel importing Gunpowder, Salt petre, Sulphur (provided they bring with the Sulphur four times as much Salt-petre) brass field pieces, or good Musquets fitted with bayonets, within Nine Months from the date of this resolution, shall be permitted to load & export Provisions to the value of such Powder, Arms & Stores as aforesaid, the non-exportation agreement notwithstanding, and it is recommended to the Committees of the several Provinces, to inspect the Arms & Military Stores so imported, and to estimate a generous price for the same according to their goodness, and permit the importer of such Powder, Arms & other Military Stores as aforesaid, to export the value thereof & no more, on provisions of any kind.

A true Copy from the Minutes
Charles Thompson, Secretary

[Endorsed, October 23, 1775] The above is a copy of a printed paper circulated among the Trading People of these Islands, to induce them to supply Gunpowder &ca to the North Americans. [signed] Jam^s Young.

PRO, Colonial Office, 5/22, 53g.

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1775 October 23

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