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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Circular letter from William Pitt, Earl of Chatham to the American governors
Pitt, William, Earl of Chatham, 1708-1778
February 19, 1757
Volume 05, Pages 744-745

[B. P. R. O. Am: & W. Ind: Vol. 75.]
Circulars to the Governors in North America.

Whitehall Febry 19th 1757.

Sir,

Having, in my Letter of the 4th Instant informed you that it was The King's Intention to send a strong Squadron of Ships of War to North America, I am now to acquaint You, that His Majesty has been pleased to appoint Rear Admiral Holburne to command the said Squadron, and

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It is the King's Pleasure, That in Case any Naval Assistance shall be wanted for the Protection of your Government, you should apply for the same, to the said Rear Admiral, or to the Commander in Chief for the Time being, of His Majesty's Ships in those Seas, who will send you such Assistance, as He may be able to do, consistently with the Service, with which He is charged by His Majesty's Instructions, and you will regularly communicate to the said Commander all such Intelligence, as shall come to your knowledge, concerning the Arrival of any ships of War, or Vessels, having Warlike Stores on Board; and likewise all such Advices, as may concern their Motions, and Destinations, or may, in any Manner, relate to that Part of His Majesty's Service, with which the Commanders of The Kings Ships should be acquainted; And for the better Execution of the Orders sent you in this Letter, you will be diligent in Employing proper Persons, and Vessels, not only to procure you the earliest Intelligence, but likewise to be dispatched from Time to Time, to the said Commander of His Majesty's Ships, with such Accounts as you shall have Occasion to communicate to Him.

It is also His Majesty's further Pleasure, that you should use all Legal Methods, whenever The Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships shall apply to you to raise such a Number of Seamen, from Time to Time, as shall be wanted to recruit the Ships in North America.

I am &c.
W. PITT