Instructions to Our Trusty and Welbeloved John Montague Esquire
    Vice Admiral of the Blue, Our Governor and Commander in
    Chief, in & over our Island of Newfoundland in America; and
    of the Islands of Madelaine in the Gulph of S^t Lawrence; as
    also of all our Forts & Garrisons, erected & established or that
    shall be erected & established in Our said Islands of New-
    foundland and Madelaine. Given at our Court at St James's the
    Eighth day of March 1776. In the Sixteenth Year of Reign.

    First. With these Our Instructions you will receive Our Commission under Our Great Seal of Great Britain constituting you our Governor and Commander in Chief in & over Our Island of Newfoundland in America, and of the Islands of Madelaine in the Gulph of St Lawrence; as also of all Our Forts & Garrisons erected & established, or that shall be erected & established in Our said Islands, with Directions to obey such Orders & Instructions, as shall from time to time be given you under Our Signet and Sign Manual, or by Our Order in our Privy Council; you are therefore to fit yourself, with all convenient speed & to repair to your said Command, & being arrived, you are to take upon you the execution of the Place & Trust We have reposed in you, and as soon as conveniently may be, to assemble the principal Inhabitants in the Island of Newfoundland, in such other places as you shall judge proper or necessary within your said Government, & with all due solemnity, to cause Our said Commission under Our Great Seal of Great Britain constituting you Our Governor & Commander in chief as aforesaid, to be read & published at such Meetings.

    [The remaining Articles of these Instructions, Numbers 2 to 82, are identical with Articles Numbered 2-82 of the Instructions to Rear Admiral Robert Duff on 21 April, 1775, ante pages 479 to 496.]

[1927lab]