My Lords,

Advices having been received at Lord Dartmouth's Office that the Inhabitants of Pennsylvania in open Rebellion against The King, have been for some time past preparing a number of Armed Craft in the form of floating Batteries for the purpose of annoying and attacking the Kings Ships that maybe sent into that River, and that they have also prepared and sunk in the Channel of the River Machines for obstructing the Navigation; I am commanded by The King, in Lord Dartmouth's absence, to transmit to Your Lordships the inclosed particulars of those Advices, and to signify to Your Lordship His Majesty's pleasure, that if Admiral Shuldham is not yet Sailed, you do apprize him, by Express, of these preparations, and instruct him that he do immediately upon his arrival in America, send some of the Vessels under his Command of a proper size and force to endeavour to destroy those floating Batteries and other Armed Craft, and to weigh up, or otherwise render useless, the Machines sunk in the Channel of the River with a view to obstruct Navigation. ー I am &ca