By Samuel Graves, Esq., Vice-Admiral of the Blue, and Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed, and to be employed, in the River St Lawrence, &c.
Whereas I have received information that a Vessel is arrived at Marblehead with a very considerable quantity of money on board from a Spanish wreck, which must by all means be prevented from falling into the hands of the Rebels: You are therefore hereby required and directed to sail in his Majesty's Schooner, under your command, to Marblehead, without a moment's delay of time, and bring the vessel into Boston Harbour with the money, or remove the money into the Diana without delay, and let the vessel follow you hither.2
Given under my hand on board His Majesty's Ship Preston, at Boston, the 7th of May, 1775.
1. Force, comp., America Archives, 4th, II, 525; apparently found on board the Diana when taken on May 27, 1775.
2. By the time Lieutenant Graves reached Marblehead, Captain Thomas Bishop, of the Lively, had taken the money on board his ship. For further details see Graves to Stephens, June 14, 1775.
