Vice Admiral [Samuel] Graves was directed, in pursuance of the Kings Pleasure ー signified by Lord Dartmouth on the 21st to order the Captains & Commanders of his Squadron to stop & search all Merchant Ships & Vessels bound to, or from, North America; to examine all Letters which they shall find on board & to send to him all such as shall appear to contain any matter tending to aid, abet or advise the Rebellious proceedings of His Majesty's Subjects in North America; And if he himself shall be of opinion that they do contain any such matter to send them home by the first Opportunity or Express if necessary, in order that they may be communicated to his Lordship; And,
To send a small Vessel to the Delawar to look out for, stop & search two Vessels which lately sailed from the Downes for Philadelphia suspected to have on board Letters from Persons in England who hold traiterous Correspondence with the Rebels.