Whitehall 19th July 1775
My Lords,
I am commanded by the King to signify to your Lordships His Majesty's Pleasure, that a Vessel of about 200 Tons Burthen be taken up by the Navy Board, to carry Arms and other Military Stores to Quebec, and also that one of His Majesty's small Ships, such as your Lordships think proper be forthwith prepared to carry dispatches to General [Thomas] Gage at Boston.ー
I am &c.
Dartmouth
1. PRO, Colonial Office, Class 5/121, LC Transcript.