Letter commanding the Governor of New Jersey to suppress the rebels

Transcript

Whitehall, 5th July 1775

Governor of New Jersey

Sir,

Your ideas of the situation of the King’s Affairs in North America and the fatal effects of General Gage’s attempt at Concord are perfectly just and I really believe that if that unfortunate event had not happened just at the time that my letter of the 3rd of March was received by the Governors of the several colonies separately, or upon some plan of communication less dangerous than a general Congress would have been committed such a consideration of the Resolution of the House of Commons of the 20th of February as would have led to some plan of accommodation.

That happy moment of advantage is lost and instead of Reconciliation all North Americans, except Quebec, Nova Scotia, Georgia & the Floridas, is in Arms against Great Britian & committed in Rebellion that menaces to overthrow the Constitution.

In this situation it is the King’s firm resolution that the most vigorous efforts should be made both by Sea and Land to reduce these Rebellious subjects to Obedience & the proper measures are now pursuing not only for augmenting the Army under General Gage but also for making such addition to our Naval strength in North America as may enable Admiral Graves to make such a Disposition of his Fleet as that beside the Squadron necessary for the New England Station, there may be separate Squadrons at New York within the Bay of Delaware in Chesapeake Bay & upon the Coast of Carolina.

…

I have only to add that it is His Majesty’s express Command that you do exert every Endeavour & employ every means in your power to aid & support him [Gage] & Admiral Graves in all such operations as they may think proper to undertake for carrying the King’s Orders into full Execution and restoring the Authority of His Majesty’s Government.

(Dartmouth)