Vice Admiral [Samuel] Graves was directed in pursuance of the Kings pleasure signified by the Earl of Dartmouth in his Letter of the 1st to carry on such Operations upon the Coasts of the four New England Governments as he should judge most effectual for supressing, in conjunction with His Majesty's Land Forces, the Rebellion which is openly avow'd and supported in those Colonies and to seize and detain till His Majesty's pleasure should be known all Ships & Vessels belonging to the Inhabitants of these Colonies such only excepted as should be found upon good Evidence and Information, to be, bona fide, the sole Property of Persons who have been in no shape concerned in the Rebellious proceedings in those Colonies, &c.
To make such a Disposition of his Fleet as that, without crippling the Force upon the Station where he commands in Person a small detached Squadron under an able and discreet Officer, might be station'd (and to station the same accordingly) at each of the following places Vizt New York, in Delawar Bay, in Chesapeak Bay, and within the Bar of Charles Town; giving the Commanders of such Squadrons Instructions to do all that in them lies to prevent any Commerce between the Colonies of New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Virginia, Maryland, the Carolina's and any other Places than Great Britain or Ireland or His Majesty's Islands in the west Indies including the Bermuda & Bahama Islands; to search every Vessel going into, and coming out of, the Ports of those Colonies & to seize and detain them in every case in which they shall make discovery of contraband Trade or Conveyance of Arms, Ammunition or Military Stores of any kind; to receive on board the King's Ships, and afford every reasonable accommodation to, the Governors, or other Officers of the Colonies within their respective Stations who may be compelled by the Violences of the People to seek such an Asylum; and generally to afford every protection in their Power to any of His Majesty's Subjects who may require it, And further,
To cause it to be publickly signified in all such Sea Port Towns as are accessible to the King's Ships that if any violences shall hereafter be offered therein, to any of the Officers of the Crown or other peaceably disposed Subjects to His Majesty, or if any Bodies of Men shall be raised & armed in the said Towns or any Military Works erected otherwise than by order to His Majesty, or those acting under His Authority, or if any attempts shall be made to seize or destroy any public Magazines of Arms, Ammunition or other Stores, it will be the duty of such Commander 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, such Commander is to proceed accordingly.ー
N. B.
