It never occurred to my mind the sword would be drawn in this contest. When that unhappy period arrived, my anxiety to accomplish my undertakings may be inferred from the naked circumstances in which I came into the Country. I acknowledge, Sir, I was justly esteemed an enemy to America. I very humbly implore the forgiveness of every man in the Country. I pledge my honour, and every thing I esteem valuable, for my future satisfactory proceedings and conduct. I will submit to any test your Excellency may propose, to evince the sincerity of my declarations and penitence. I would silently venerate the justice whose decision circumscribes my liberty within a few miles, But, Sir, the expenses of a maintenance, during the course of three months, have exhausted the pecuniary provision I procured in Boston, for the support of myself and family. You must be sensible, may it please your Excellency, of the obduracy of my situation, in respect to the obtaining employ, while I labour under the displeasure of the Province. The just indignation of the people against me, who have so greatly provoked them, I am totally unable to extinguish while a circumscription is appointed to my excursions; and notwithstanding any evidences I can possibly grant the commonalty, they yet esteem me as inimical to their welfare, else why, say they, should he be confined? This, may it please your Excellency, sufficiently prevents their granting me any assistance or employ, and this, Sir, very probably will be the sentiment, and these the consequences, while I continue under arrest; upon the removal of which, Sir, I may by some means regain that favour I have so justly forfeited—for which I most earnestly solicit. Have I, Sir, committed an offence for which no atonement can be offered and accepted? The omnipotent Father of Mercies is not inexorable to the most atrocious sinners, upon their repentance. I most sincerely ask forgiveness for my past conduct, and entreat my freedom.

I am, may it please your Excellency, your Excellency’s most dutiful petitioner and very humble servant,

DAVID PARKER.

ORDERS IN COUNCIL.

At the Court at St. James’s, the 27th day of October, 1775, present: The King’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council.

Whereas His Majesty was pleased, by his Orders in Council of the 23d of August and the 27th of September last, to direct that no person or persons whatsoever, should, at any time during the respective terms therein mentioned, presume to transport out of this Kingdom, or carry coastwise, any Saltpetre, Gunpowder, or any sort of Arms or Ammunition, (except the Master-General, Lieutenant-General, or principal Officers of the Ordnance for His Majesty’s service, ) without leave or permission in that behalf first obtained from His Majesty or his Privy Council. And whereas it hath been represented to this Board, that it will tend greatly to the advantage of trade for a general order in Council to be issued, to permit and allow Saltpetre and Gunpowder to be carried coastwise in small quantities, under certain restrictions, to be prescribed by the said order; His Majesty, taking the same into consideration, is hereby pleased, with the advice of his Privy Council, to order that Saltpetre and Gunpowder be permitted to be carried coastwise to and from any of the ports of this Kingdom, notwithstanding His Majesty’s aforementioned Orders in Council, of the 23d of August and 27th of September last; provided, that no greater quantity of Saltpetre and Gunpowder be shipped, laden, or carried coastwise, at any one time, in any one ship or vessel, than one ton of Saltpetre and fifty barrels of Gunpowder, except such as shall be shipped, laden, or carried coastwise, by direction of the Master-General, Lieutenant-General, and principal Officers of the Ordnance for His Majesty’s service; and, also, except such as shall obtain leave or permission, in that behalf, from His Majesty or his Privy Council; and provided, also, that sufficient security be first given to the proper Officers of His Majesty’s Customs, in treble the value of the Saltpetre and Gunpowder desired to be sent coastwise, to carry the same to the places proposed, and none other; and that a certificate or certificates be produced, within one month from the date of the bond, from the proper Officers of the Customs, at the ports for which the respective quantities of Saltpetre and Gunpowder shall be shipped, of the same having been duly landed at such ports; in failure of which, the bonds to be immediately put in suit; which certificate or certificates the Commissioners of the Customs are hereby required to transmit to the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty’s Treasury, in order to be laid before this Board; and the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty’s Treasury are to give the necessary directions herein accordingly.

G. CHETWYND.

At the Court at St. James’s, the 27th day of October, 1775, present: The King’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council.

Whereas His Majesty was pleased, by his Orders in Council of the 23d of August and 27th of September last, to direct that no person or persons whatsoever, should, at any time during the respective terms therein mentioned, presume to transport out of this Kingdom, or carry coastwise, any Saltpetre, Gunpowder, or any sort of Arms or Ammunition, (except the Master-General, Lieutenant-General, or principal Officers of the Ordnance for His Majesty’s service, ) without leave or permission in that behalf first obtained from His Majesty or his Privy Council. And whereas it hath been represented to this Board, that it will tend greatly to the advantage of trade for a general order in Council to be issued, to permit and allow Saltpetre and Gunpowder to be exported to Ireland, in small quantities, under certain restrictions, to be prescribed by the said order; His Majesty, taking the same into consideration, is hereby pleased, with the advice of his Privy Council, to order that Saltpetre and Gunpowder be permitted to be exported to Ireland, for the inland consumption of that Kingdom, from any of the ports of this Kingdom, notwithstanding His Majesty’s aforementioned Orders in Council, of the 23d of August and 27th of September last; provided, that no greater quantity of Saltpetre and Gunpowder be shipped, laden, or exported to Ireland, at any one time, in any one ship or vessel, than one ton of Saltpetre and twenty-five barrels of Gunpowder, except such as shall be shipped, laden, or exported, by direction of the Master-General, Lieutenant-General, or principal Officers of the Ordnance for His Majesty’s service; and also except such as shall obtain leave or permission, in that behalf, from His Majesty or bis Privy Council; and provided also, that sufficient security be first given to the proper Officers of His Majesty’s Customs, in treble the value of the Saltpetre and Gunpowder desired to be exported, to carry the same to the places proposed, and none other; and that a certificate or certificates be produced, within two months from the date of the bond, from the proper Officers of the Customs, at the ports for which the respective quantities of Saltpetre and Gunpowder shall be shipped, of the same having been all duly landed at such ports; in failure of which, the bonds to be put immediately in suit; which certificate or certificates the Commissioners of the Customs are hereby required to transmit to the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty’s Treasury, in order to be laid before this Board; and the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty’s Treasury are to give the necessary directions herein accordingly.

G. CHETWYND.

ADDRESS OF THE GENTLEMEN, ETC., OF THE COUNTY OF LANARK.

Address of the Gentlemen, Freeholders, Justices of the Peace, and Commissioners of the Land Tax of the County of Lanark, presented to His Majesty by Andrew Stuart, Esq., their Representative in Parliament.

To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty.

The humble Address of the Gentlemen, Freeholders, Justices of the Peace, and Commissioners of the Land Tax of the County of LANARK.

Most Gracious Sovereign: