Intelligence having been received that the Inhabitants of Pensylvania in open Rebellion against the King have been, for some time past, preparing a number of arm'd Craft in the form of floating batteries for the purpose of annoying and attacking His Majts Ships that may be sent into that River, and, that they have also prepared & Sunk in the Channel of the River Machines for obstructing the, Navigation; You are hereby required and directed, in pursuance of the Kings pleasure signified to Us, (in the Earl of Dartmouth's absence) by the Earl of Suffolk one of His Majts. Principal Secretaries of State in his Letter of Yesterday's date, immediately upon the Receipt hereof, to send some of the Vessels under your Command, of a proper Size & force, to endeavor to destroy those floating batteries & to weigh up, or otherways render useless, the Machines sunk in the River with a view to obstruct the Navigation. Given &c 15th Octr 1775.