[Admiralty] 14 April 1775
[Extract]
The King having been pleas'd by His Order in Council of the 5th inst to Order, Require, Prohibit and Command, That no Person or Persons whatsoever except the Master Genl Lieut General or Principal Officers of the Ordnance, for His Majesty's Service do, at any time during the space of six Months, to commence from the 19th day of this Month, presume to transport into any parts out of this Kingdom, or carry Coastwise, any Gunpowder or any sort of Arms or Ammunition, or ship or lade any Gunpowder or any sort of Arms or Ammunition, on board any Ship or Vessel, in order to transporting the same into any parts beyond the Seas, or carrying the same Coastwise, without leave or permission in that behalf first obtain'd from His Majesty or His Privy Council, . . . We . . . do hereby most strictly require & direct you to use your best endeavours to intercept, seize & bring into Port, all Ships & Vessels whatsoever having on board Gunpowder or any sort of Arms or Ammunition, shipp'd or laden on board them in any of the Ports of this Kingdom, and intended to be carried Coastwise, or to be transported into any parts beyond the Seas; . . .