By James Young Esqr Vice Admiral of the Red &c.
Vice Admiral [William] Parry, having delivered me an Anonymous Letter he had just received from St Croix dated the 10th May 1775, (a Copy of which is annexed) acquainting him that a Combination is between that Place and the British Colonies of America, and that He (the writer) was informed they had shipped from that Place to Norfolk in Virginia 42 Barrels of Gun Powder and several pieces of Cannon, and had ready for shipping 36 Barrels of Gun Powder more and eight pieces of Cannon, in consequence of which information
You are hereby required and directed forthwith to Complete the Provisions Wood and Water of his Majesty's Sloop Pomona under your Command to Eight Weeks, and then immediately proceed with her and Cruise off the Island St Croix, and there intercept and Seize such British or Foreign Ships as you may meet with and have sufficient Reason to believe they are employed in carrying on the above very pernicious illicit Trade; and bring the same to me to this Harbour to be proceeded against in the Court of Vice Admiralty as transgressing the Laws of Trade and Navigation, and for your further Government herein you are strictly required and directed to take particular care that his Majesty's intention with respect to the Examining and seizing Foreign Ships and Vessels under such circumstances as are described in Lord Rochford's Letters to the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty Dated the 26 January and the 20 February last, and are particularly set forth in my General Order marked No 5 to you Dated the 9th Instant be punctually complied with:
You are to remain on this Service till the 20th July and are then to return to this Harbour for further Orders: you are by every opportunity to transmit me an Account of the State and Condition of his Majesty's Sloop under your Command, together with such intelligence as you may receive; which you may judge proper for my knowledge: and in case you should gain any intelligence that you think I ought to be made immediately acquainted with, you are then to make the best of your way with such intelligence to this Harbour; or whatever Island you shall hear of my being at, and at the expiration of your Cruise, you are to deliver me a Journal of your proceedings. For which this shall be your Order.
Given under my Hand on board the Portland, in English Harbour Antigua the 10th June 1775
By Command of the Admiral Geo: Lawford
