Whitehall 5th July 1775
[Extract]
. . . it is the King's firm Resolution that the most vigorous efforts should be made both by Sea and Land to reduce his rebellious subjects to obedience and the proper measures are now pursuing not only for augmenting the army under General [Thomas] Gage but also for making such additions to our Naval Strength in North America as may enable Admiral [Samuel] Graves to make such a disposition of his Fleet as that besides the Squadron necessary for the New England Station there may be separate Squadrons at New York within the Bay of Delaware, in Chesapeake Bay and upon the Coast of Carolina.
After what has passed there can be no doubt what ought to be the Plan of Operations for the Squadron upon the New England Station, and I think it necessary to acquaint you, for your own information, that Admiral Graves will be instructed to exert the most vigorous efforts, for suppressing the Rebellion now Openly avowed & supported in that Country and to seize & detain all ships and Vessels belonging to the Inhabitants thereof, such only excepted as are the property of Persons who are friends of Government & have shewn an attachment to the Constitution.
There is still some room to hope that the Colonies to the Southward may not proceed to the same lengths with those of New England, it is however His Majesty's intentions that the Commanders of the separate Squadrons I have mentioned should be instructed to prevent all Commerce between the Colonies within their respective stations and any other places than Great Britain Ireland and His Majestys Islands in the West Indies. That they should receive on Board and give protection to any officers of the Crown who may be compelled by the violence of the People to seek for such an Asylum and to proceed as in the Case of a Town in actual Rebellion against such of the sea port Towns being accessible to the Kings Ships, as shall hereafter offer any violence to the Kings officers or in which any Troops shall be raised or military works erected, other than by His Majestys authority, or any attempts made to seize or plunder any public Magazine of Arms or Ammunition
1. O'Callaghan, ed., Colonial New York, VIII, 591, 592.