PENNSYLVANIA ARCHIVES

SECOND SERIES, 
Published under direction of MATTHEW S. QUAY 
Secretary of the Commonwealth Edited by John B. Linn and Wm. H. Egle, MD Vol II Harrisburg B F Meyers, State Printer 1876

VOLUME II

• Pages 679-680

Gov. Thomas’ Order to Capt. Hill, Keeper of the Powder House

25 July, 1745

To Captain William Hill, Keeper of the Powder House:

Whereas, As his Excellency William Shirley, Esquire, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of his Majestie’s Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, has, by his Letter bearing Date at Boston, the 24th June last, signified to me that the Siege of Louisbourg had quite exhausted all their magazines, and desires that as it might be uncertain what further Demand of Powder there might be for the Majestie’s Service at that Place, I would lay an embargo on all the Powder here and secure it for sometime for the Service of the present Expedition against Cape Breton.

I have, therefore, thought fit, by and with the advice of the Council, to lay such Embargo, and you are hereby ordered and commanded not to deliver out of the Powder House to any person whatsoever within the Space of ten Days, or till my further Order, Hereof fail not at your Peril.

Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms at Philad’a, this Fifth day of July, 1745. GEO. THOMAS

Whereas, The danger to which this Province is exposed make it absolutely necessary to prevent the exportation of any gun powder, and more especially so, as a great quantity of ammunition was taken from the King’s forces in the late defeat, and Col. Dunbar thought it necessary to destroy the most part of what remain’d. I have, therefore, thought fit, by the advice of the Council, to order and direct that no gun powder be suffer’d to be carry’d out of this province by any person, or in any manner whatsoever, and to render the said order more effectuall, you are Hereby required and Commanded not to deliver any gun Powder, or suffer any to be deliver’d out of the powder House to any person whatsoever, without my special order, for that Purpose, Hereof fail not, as you will answer to the Contrary at your Peril.

Given under my Hand and Seal at Arms at Philad’a, this Fifth day of July, 1745. GEO. THOMAS

Indorsed:--I think an order should go to the Custom house to prevent the exportation of gun powder & lead.