In Pursuance of the Directions of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, I do hereby certify, that the Ship Stakesby James Watts Master, is, by their Lordships Orders, employed in the Service of Government, without Duty or Clearance: And the Merchants concerned having represented to the Board, that they have shipped therein the following Stores for the Use of His Majesty's Forces in America, viz.

Eighty five Chaldrons & three quarters			Eighty Hogs
of Coal			One hundred & ten Quarters of Beans &
One hundred & twenty give Buts			Forty Puncheons for Water
Fifty Hogsheads		Porter	together with—
Eighty three barrels			Four Carriage Guns
Eighteen Tons of Potatoes			Two Muskets &
Thirty Hogsheads of Vinegar			half a barrel of Gunpowder
Eighteen Casks of Sour Krout

for the necessary, Defence of the Ship.²

I am further, in Pursuance of their Lordships Commands, to require you to suffer such Ship to proceed on her Voyage without Molestation on Account of the said Loading and Ammunition. Given under my Hand and the Seal of Office, at the Custom-house, London, this Thirty first Day of October in the Sixteenth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord GEORGE the Third; and in the Year of our Lord, One thousand seven hundred and seventy Five

To the Commanders of the several Sloops and Vessels, and to all other Officers employed in the Service of His Majesty's Customs, whom it may concern.