My Lords

There being great reason to suspect that His Majesty's Rebellious Subjects in America, are supplied with Gunpowder, Arms and Ammunition from the Coast of Africa, to which large quantities of those Articles are sent from Europe in the way of Trade; It is the King's pleasure that one of His Majesty's Ships of War, such as your Lordships shall think fit, be Dispatched as soon as may be, to the Coast of Africa, with orders to range along the whole Coast from Sierre Leon to Whidah and to seize all Vessels belonging to the Associated Colonies in North America, or owned by the Inhabitants thereof, that shall be found Trading at any Fort or Factory on that Coast, (which Vessels so seized are to be proceeded against in the manner. pointed out in my separate Letter to your Lordships of this Day's date.

It is His Majesty's further pleasure, that the Commander of the said Ship, to be sent to the Coast of Africa, or some other proper Officer on board, do examine into the State of the Magazine of Gun Powder and Arms in each of the British Forts & Factories, and do require the Person having the Command of such Fort or the Care & Custody of such Magazine, to make out, in order to be transmitted to your Lordships, an exact and particular Account of all Gunpowder, Arms and Ammunition received into the Magazine, for three Years last past, and of the disposal & Expenditure thereof, specifying the Persons to whom disposed, & upon what Account, & in what manner, & for what service Expended. ー I am &ca