Naval Documents of The American Revolution, Volume 1 ... - Ibiblio

1210 AMERICAN THEATRE
I think it my Duty as Commander in Chief of the King's Ships &c employed
on this Station to take every precaution that may be in my power to prevent or put
a stop to a practice so very pernicious & dishonorable; And I have therefore
agreeable to the advice of the Kings Council (communicated by your Letter)
wrote to the Commr, if Chief of these Islands to request, He will immediately issue
a Proclamation to forbid the Exportation of Gunpowder and other Warlike
Stores from any of His Majestys Leeward Islands for the space of Six Months. &c.
1. PRO, Colonial Office, Class 5/122, LC Transcript.
VICE ADMIRAL
JAMES YOUNG
James Young
TO CRAISTER GREATHEAD, GOVERNOR
LEEWARD ISLANDS
OF THE
Sir Portland, English Harbour, Antigua 22d August 1775
Having received certain intelligence that sundry Vessels belonging to North
America, go to the French Dutch & Danish Islands in these Seas and offer unlimited
prices for Gunpowder and other Warlike Stores, I think it my duty, as
Commander in Chief of the Kings Ships and Vessels employ'd on this station to
acquaint you therewith, and to express my apprehension; that as many of the
North America Traders come in daily to all His Majts Caribbee Islands, where
tis probable they may use the like endeavours to purchase Gunpowder &c at any
rate and perhaps the great price offered for these articles may tempt private adventurers
to run risques and dispose of the same to them, which must prove to the
utmost disservice to His Majesty, by thus assisting the North Americans with
ammunition & Warlike stores at a time they are declared to be in open Rebellion.
I do therefore entreat, you will cause this matter to be duly considered in your
Council, and be pleased to direct that a proclamation may be immediately issued
through the different islands of this Government, to forbid the shipping Gunpowder
or other Warlike stores, either Coastwise or otherwise by any Ships or Vessels,
whatever, for the space of six months.
I have inclosed herewith a Copy of His Majts Order in Council of the 5th
April last, for prohibiting the exporting out of the Kingdom of Great Britain, or
carrying Coastwise &c Gunpowder or any sort of Arms or Ammunition during the
space of Six months to commence from the 19th. day of April last, and as the
reasons which occasioned the issuing said Order in Council still exist, I have no
doubt but the same will be extended to a further time. I have the honor to be
Sir [&c.]
Ja-oung
To The Honorable Craister Greathead Esqr Commander in Chief for the
time being of all His Majts Leeward Charibbee Islands in America, Vice Admiral
and Ordinary of the same &c at St. Kitts.
The 22d Augt 1775, I wrote to the same purport as the aforegoing to
His Excellency Thos Shirley Esqr Captain General & Governor in Chief in
and over His Majesty's Island of Dominica in America, and the dependencies