Sir

Having received certain intelligence that sundry Vessels belonging to North America, go to the French Dutch & Danish Islands in these Seas and offer unlimited prices for Gunpowder and other Warlike Stores, I think it my duty, as Commander in Chief of the Kings Ships and Vessels employ'd on this station to acquaint you therewith, and to express my apprehension; that as many of the North America Traders come in daily to all His Majts Caribbee Islands, where tis probable they may use the like endeavours to purchase Gunpowder &c at any rate and perhaps the great price offered for these articles may tempt private adventurers to run risques and dispose of the same to them, which must prove to the utmost disservice to His Majesty, by thus assisting the North Americans with ammunition & Warlike stores at a time they are declared to be in open Rebellion.

I do therefore entreat, you will cause this matter to be duly considered in your Council, and be pleased to direct that a proclamation may be immediately issued through the different islands of this Government, to forbid the shipping Gunpowder or other Warlike stores, either Coastwise or otherwise by any Ships or Vessels, whatever, for the space of six months.

I have inclosed herewith a Copy of His Majts Order in Council of the 5th April last, for prohibiting the exporting out of the Kingdom of Great Britain, or carrying Coastwise &c Gunpowder or any sort of Arms or Ammunition during the space of Six months to commence from the 19th. day of April last, and as the reasons which occasioned the issuing said Order in Council still exist, I have no doubt but the same will be extended to a further time. I have the honor to be Sir [&c.]

To The Honorable Craister Greathead Esqr Commander in Chief for the time being of all His Majts Leeward Charibbee Islands in America, Vice Admiral and Ordinary of the same &c at St. Kitts.

The 22d Augt 1775, I wrote to the same purport as the aforegoing to

His Excellency Thos Shirley Esqr Captain General & Governor in Chief in and over His Majesty's Island of Dominica in America, and the dependencies thereupon, Chancellor, Ordinary and Vice Admiral of the same &c. at Dominica

The 30th Augt 1775. I wrote to the same purport

To His Excellency The Honorable Edward Hay Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over His Majesty's Island of Barbadoes in America and the dependencies thereupon, Chancellor Ordinary and Vice Admiral of the same &c. at Barbadoes

The 30th Augt 1775 I likewise wrote to the same purport

To the Honble William Young Esqr Commander in Chief for the time being of all His Majts Southern Charibbee Islands in America, Chancellor Ordinary and Vice Admiral of the same &c at Grenada

Ja^s Young