The King having been pleased, by His Order in Council of the 17th of May 1776, to order, require, prohibit and command, That no Person or persons whomsoever (except the Master General or principal Officers of the Ordnance for His Majesty's Service) do at any time, during the Space of three Months, to commence from the 23d day of the Month abovemention'd, presume to Transport into any parts out of this Kingdom, or carry Coastwise, any Gunpowder, Saltpetre, or any sort of Arms or Ammunition on board any Ship or Vessel, in order to transporting the same beyond the Seas or carrying the same Coastwise, except in the cases comprized in His Majesty's Orders in Council of the 13th and 27th of October and the 6th and 22d of November 1775, and of the 5th and 19th of February last, without leave or permission in that behalf first obtained from His Majesty or His Privy Council upon pain of incurring & suffering the respective forfeitures and penalties inflicted by an Act passed in the 29th Year of His late Majesty's Reign entitled "An Act to impower His Majesty to prohibit the Exportation of Gunpowder, or any sort of Arms and Ammunition, and also to impower His Majty to restrain the carrying Coastwise of Saltpetre Gunpowder or any sort of Arms & Ammunition;" We send you herewith a printed Copy of His Majesty's said Order in Council of the 17th of May 1776. and do hereby most strictly require and direct you to use your best endeavours to intercept, seize, and bring into Port, during the time therein specified, all Ships and Vessels whatsoever having on board Gunpowder, Saltpetre or any sort of Arms or Ammunition, in order to transporting the same beyond the Seas, or carrying the same Coastwise without leave or permission in that behalf first obtained from His Majesty or His Privy Council, except in the Cases comprized in His Majesty's abovementioned Orders in Council of the 13th and 27th October and 6th and 22d of November 1775. and of the herewith, and 5th and 19th of February last, printed Copies of which are also sent you also excepting such Ships & Vessels as shall be laden with Gunpowder, Saltpetre, Arms or Ammunition for His Majts Service by the Master General Lieut General or principal Officers of the Ordnance
Given &c. the 30th May 1776
C. Spencer
H. Penton
H. Palliser.
The respective Flag Officers
Captains and Commanders of
His Majesty's Ships and Vessels.
By &c. P.S.
