[Extract]

Whereas it is His Majesty's firm resolution that every measure be pursued for Suppressing by most vigorous efforts by Sea and land, the unnatural Rebellion which at present unhappily subsists in North America; You are hereby required and directed to observe and punctually obey the following orders and directions, untill you receive contrary Orders from me or any other your superior officer: And whereas an Act having passed the present Session of Parliament, "To Prohibit all Trade and intercourse with the several Colonies in North America therein named during the continuance of the present rebellion within the said Colonies.["]

1st You are therefore hereby required and directed to seize and take all vessels whatsoever belonging to or found Trading with the Said Colonies, and send them to Halifax in order for their being proceeded against according to Law. And as the Rebels are endeavouring to collect and equip a Naval force to intercept the supplies intended for the Fleet and Army, to obstruct the commerce of his Majesty's faithful Subjects, and to oppose the small Ships and vessels belonging to his Fleet: You are to do your utmost to Take, Sink, Burn or destroy these Pirates wherever they can be found, as also all Vessels whatsoever, that may be Arming, or evidently intended to be employed in the Rebellion against His Majesty: And for your further guidance and information herein, I refer you to the beforementioned Act of Parliament, which you will receive herewith, likewise the Kings Proclamation relative to the distribution of the Prizes taken in co'nsequence thereof, and you are to send me an account of all vessels seized and taken by you, according to a form annexed.

2d You are very carefully to examine all vessels you may meet with, and upon the discovery of any Arms, Ammunition, Military or Naval Stores, you are to Seize the Vessels on board of which such stores may be found and send them to Halifax, unless they are in the King's Service, and carrying supplies for the Fleet and Army.

Samuel Nicholas' Commission as Captain in the Continental Marine Corps.

3d

You are to receive on board and afford every reasonable accomodation to the Governors or other officers of the Colonies within your respective Stations, who may be compelled by the violence of the people to seek such an Asylum, and generally to afford any protection in your power to any of his Majesty's Subjects who may require it; And as you are further hereby required & directed to cause it to be publickly signified in all such Sea Port Towns as are accessable to the Kings Ships, that if any violence shall hereafter be offered to any of the Officers of the Crown or other peaceably disposed subjects to his Majesty, or if any Bodies of Men should be raised and Armed in the said Towns, or any Military works erected therein then by order of His Majesty or those acting under his Authority, or if some attempts shall be made to seize or destroy any Public Magazines of Arms, Ammunition, or other Stores, it will be your Duty to proceed by the most vigorous efforts against the said Town, as in open Rebellion against the King, and if after such Signification any Town shall persist in the Rebellious Acts above stated, You are hereby required and directed to proceed accordingly.

4th And whereas there is good ground to suspect that many persons in England hold a traitorous correspondence with his Majesty's Rebellious Subjects in North America: You are hereby most strictly required and directed to Stop and search all Ships and vessels bound to, or from North America, and carefully examine every letter on board, and all those that shall in your Opinion contain any matter tending to aid, abet, or advise the Rebellious proceedings of His Majesty's Subjects in North America, to secure and send them to me carefully Sealed up by the safest and quickest conveyance. 5th You are to observe the same conduct with respect to all letters contain, ing intelligence of present or intended operations of the Rebels, or any othr information proper for me to be acquainted with.

6th

And whereas some attempts have been made by the Masters of Ships bound to North America, to take on board flint Stones by way of Ballast; You are hereby reqd and directed carefully to examine all such Ships & Vessels as shall arrive in the different Ports which you may be .at in North America from Great Britain or Ireland, and in case you find the Ballast, or any part of it to consist of Flint Stones, to cause such flint stones to be taken out and thrown into deep water; And also to seize any flints manufactured for the use of Fire Arms, which you may find on Board such Shjps, for, although they are not expressed in His Majestys Order in council prohibiting the Exportation of Gunpowder, Arms, and ammunition, they are certainly within the meaning and intent of it; observing at the same time that these Orders are not to extend to flints manufactured for the use of Fire Arms sent out by, or within License from, the Master General or Principal officers of the Board of Ordnance.

7th Whenever it can be done you are to Seize any of the Delegates to the Congress, the Rebel General Officers, or principal Aiders and abetttors of the Rebellion, and keep them Prisoners until you can safely deliver them to me, and you are to Seize all Vessels carrying Emigrants from Great Britain to the Colonies and send them to Halifax.

8th You are always to acquaint the Governor (for his Majesty) of the Province wherein you may be stationed with your arrival, and from time to time consult with him in what manner the ship you command may be best employed for the protection of His Majestys faithful Subjects and their property, the Support of Legal Authority of Government, and to answer such other purposes as the exigencies of the times may make it necessary for the Good of the Kings service: You are to give your utmost Aid and Assistance, according to the information and advice you may receive from the Governor, and use your best endeavours to employ the Kings Ship. under your command very diligently towards answering the purposes beforementioned. Given under my hand on board His Majesty's Ship Chatham in Halifax Harbour the 11th April 1776

M. Shuldham