[Admiralty Office] 18th November 1775
Sir,
My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty understanding by a Letter transmitted to them by the Lords Commrs of His Majestys Treasury that private Merchants endeavour to have Money conveyed to North America in His Majesty's Ships which is not intended for payment of His Majesty's Forces there; I am commanded by their Lordships to signify their direction to you to acquaint the Captains of His Majesty's Ships now fitting out, or that may hereafter be directed to fit out at Portsmouth for North America, that they are not to receive any Money or Bullion on board the Ships they respectively command consigned to any Person or Persons in North America, without their Lordships permission for so doing. I am &c
P:S:
[Similar letters directed to] Capt [Thomas] Graves, Senior Officer, Plymouth Commodore [George] Mackenzie or Senior officer at Chatham
1. PRO, Admiralty 2/550, 321.