Sir,

Being ordered by my Instructions from Vice-Admiral Graves, Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Ships and Vessels in North-America; publickly to signify to all Towns accessible to his Majesty's Ships, that, in Case any Violences shall hereafter be offer'd to anyof the Officers of the Crown, or other peaceable disposed Subjects of his Majesty; or if any Bodies of Men shall be raised and arm'd in the said Towns, or any Military Works erected otherwise than by order of his Majesty, or those acting under his Authority; or if any Attempts shall be made to seize or destroy any publick Magazines of Arms, Ammunition, or other Stores, in all or either of those Cases, it will be my Duty, to treat the said Towns as in open Rebellion against the King.

I am to request that your Excellency will be pleased to let the above Instructions be publickly made known in the Town of New York, at the same Time you will assure them, that I shall be happy in granting the Town every Protection in the Power of his Majesty's Ships under my Command. I am, Sir, [&c.]