[Admiralty Office] 21st Novr 1775.
Sr
The Lords of His Majts Treasury having acquainted my Lords Commrs of the Admty that they have received undoubted information that Ten Vessels wch sailed about the middle of September last from the Port of Philadelphia for Ireland are engaged to go from thence to Russia & Hamburgh there to take on board coarse Linnens of different kinds which it is intended they should land in the River Delawarre or at some convenient part of the Coast near it, at a time, in the present Winter when it is expected His Majts Ships will not be able to cruize upon the Coast or lay with safety in the River; And that Six Vessels more are soon to be engaged on the like destination & Service That this Attempt is made at the risque of the Province of Pensylvania or of the associated Colonies in General, & not undertaken by private Adventurers And that the very great scarcity of coarse Linnen in America & particularly those proper for an Army is the reason of this Attempt; I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you therewith & to recommend it to You, as it is of the highest importance that the said project should be defeated to take every measure in your power to prevent it taking effect &c
P S
By the Albion Victualler Duplicate By the Prs Augusta Victualler Both enclosed in 2 Letters of this Date to the Commrs for Victualling ー
1. PRO, Admiralty 2/550, 331-32.