It having been represented to the King, that a Resolution has been taken in the Congress of Delegates from the twelve associated Colonies assembled at Phila delphia, that, after a certain Day, all Exportation from the said Colonies to Great Britain, Ireland & the West Indies shall be discontinued, and there being great reason to suspect that the Ships & Vessels belonging to these Colonies & hitherto employed in those Channels of Commerce, many of which Ships are of large Burthens, may be fitted out for the purpose of supporting the unnatural Rebellion now carrying on; You are hereby requested & directed, in pursuance of His Majts Pleasure signified to Us by the Earl of Dartmouth one of His Principal Secretaries of State in his Letter of the 12th Instant, to give Orders to the several Captains & Commanders of His Majts Ships & Vessels under your Command to visit, on their respective Stations, every Harbour within the said Colonies, where such Ships may be laid up, and either to take .away their Masts & Rudders, or otherwise so disable them that they may not be fitted & employed for the purpose abovementioned. Given &c 14th Septr 1775 .