Advices having been received from different parts of America that the Inhabitants of the Colonies in general which are associated in Arms against the King, are collecting and fitting out arm'd Vessels for effecting, in various ways, their rebellious purposes; You are hereby required & directed, 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, to give the most positive Orders to the Captns of the several Ships under your command, to exert their utmost endeavours to prevent such preparations and to burn, and destroy, every Vessel that shall appear to be fitted out from any of the Colonies with such traiterous designs. Given &c. the 23d of October. 1775.

By R. A. Shuldham ー vide Lre to him