Whitehall, 5th Septr 1775.
As it is of great consequence to His Majesty's Service in the present State of Affairs in North America that His Majesty's Ships of War stationed there should not be employed in any other Services than those to which they are appointed by the Admiral; I am commanded by The King to signify to you His Majesty's pleasure that you do not take upon you to send to England any such Ships that may be stationed within the limits of your Government with any Dispatches,2 unless such Dispatches are of the most pressing Nature and no Vessel can be otherwise procured in which an Officer may be sent home with them. I am &ca
Dartmouth
1. PRO, Colonial Office, 5/242.
2. This order resulted from a complaint made by Vice Admiral Graves against Lord Dunmore for ordering home H.M. Schooner Magdalen, Lieutenant Henry Colins, with Lady Dunmore and some unimportant dispatches.
