Whitehall June 17th 1775
My Lords,
It being apprehended that the Number of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels at present in North America may not be sufficient for effectually securing a due Obedience of the Laws passed in the last Session of Parliament for restraining the Commerce and Fisheries of several of the Colonies, and that it may be particularly useful to have a more considerable Naval Strength at New York to protect the Commerce of His Majesty's Subjects, and to prevent the Rebels in New England from receiving Succours from the Southern Colonies by the Passes of Hudsons River; I am to signify to your Lordships His Majesty's Pleasure that you do augment the Squadron under the Command of Vice Admiral [Samuel] Graves with such a number of Frigates as your Lordships shall think sufficient for answering the above-mentioned Objects.
I am &ca
Dartmouth
[Endorsed] Drat to the/Lords of the Admty/17th June 1775/Entd
1. PRO, Colonial Office, Class 5/121, LC Transcript.
