St James's 28th, Decr 1775.
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty } My Lords,
Having laid before The King Your Lordships Letter of the 25th instant, together with it's inclosures, relative to the Hawk Brigantine, Thomas Tingey Master, bound from Amsterdam to St Thomas's, which is detained at Dover by Capt [Richard] Pearson of His Majesty's Sloop the Speedwell, I have The King's Commands to acquaint your Lordships that it is judged expedient the said Hawk Brigantine should be forthwith released, and it is His Majesty's Pleasure that Your Lordships should give the necessary Orders for that purpose. 2
1. PRO, State Papers 42/49.
2. As the King had signed the Prohibitory Act on December 23, 1775, his order to release the Hawk, an unmistakable Amencan vessel, was probably because she was sailing from one neutral port to another and was not carrying contraband.
