Some attempts having been made by Masters of Ships bound to North America to take on board Flint Stones by way of Ballast, proper Steps have been taken for preventing any such attempts for the future; At the same time too great precaution cannot be used in this case; And therefore, in pursuance of the King's Pleasure signified to Us by the Earl of Dartmouth one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State in his Letter of Yesterday's date; You are hereby required & directed to instruct the Commanders of all His Majesty's Ships and Vessels under your Command to examine all such Ships & Vessels as shall arrive in the different Ports in North America from Great Britain or Ireland, and in case they find the. Ballast, or any part of it; to consist of Flint Stones, to cause such Flint Stones to be taken out & thrown into deep Water; and also to seize any Flints manufactured for the use of Fire Arms, which they may find on board such Ships; for although they are not expressed in His Majesty's Order in Council, prohibiting the Exportation of Gunpowder, Arms and Ammunition, they are certainly within the Meaning & Intent of it; But you are to observe that these Orders are not to extend to Flints manufactured for the use of Fire Arms sent out by, or with a Licence from, the Master General, or Principal Officers of the Board of Ordnance. Given &c 19th Sepr 1775.
Sandwich J Buller C. Spencer
1. PRO, Admiralty 2/100, 129-130.