British Admiralty Authorizes the Royal Navy to Impress American Sailors
Since the British warships in America were short of men, and since they were really in need of men now that they were truly at war, the British Admiralty (that is, the top officials in the Royal Navy) authorized the naval officers to use force in order to get enough sailors. Philip Stephens, Secretary of the Admiralty, wrote to Vice Admiral Samuel Graves, who was stationed in America:
Their Lordships [that is, the Commissioners of the Admiralty] observe…that many of your Ships are considerably short of their Complement of Men. And that there is no likelyhood of making up the deficiency by Voluntiers; They have therefore in pursuance of the Kings Order in Council signed Warrants…empowering the Officers of the Ships of your Squadron to Impress such a Number of Seamen & Seafaring Men as may be necessary to complete their respective Complements…
Naval Documents of the American Revolution, vol. 1, p. 491-2
As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, to “impress” meant to force men to join the navy. Saying that there was no likelihood of getting enough volunteers to join the navy in America was certainly an understatement, and it’s not surprising that the British decided to use this method instead.
In case you’re interested in reading long, run-on, confusing sentences, here’s one from another letter from Stephens to Graves on the same day, about the same subject:
The King having been pleased by his Order in Council of the 16th of June 1775 to order my Lords Commrs of the Admty to issue out such Warrants as they should find requisite for pressing so many Seamen, Seafaring Men & Persons whose occupations & callings are to work in Vessels & Boats upon Rivers in His Majestys Dominions in North America as should from time to time be necessary for Manning His Majts Ships & Vessels employed in those parts; I am commanded to send Your Lordship herewith 40 blank Press Warrants (prepared in consequence thereof & signed by my Lords) for Captains & Commanders of His Majts Ships & Vessels And also 20 of another sort for Lieutenants commanding Schooners & Armed Vessels in order that your Lordship may cause the same to be filled up & delivered occasionally to such Captains, Commanders & Lieutenants not before furnished with them or Armed Vessels as may not have received them before or as you may appoint to Vacancies that may happen in the Squadron, all which Warrants your Ldsp will please to observe are to continue in force ’til the 31st Day of December 1776 unless duly countermanded before that time; And I am commanded by their Lordships to Signify their directs of the said Warrants to be filled up & delivered from time to time to such Captains Commrs and Lieutenants (not already furnished therewith) as you in your discretion shall judge necessary for completing the Complements of such of your Ships as are deficient And also to fill up & deliver in like manner from time to time such of the others to the Captains & Commanders of His Majts Ships & Vessels &c who may be sent out to you, or who may be appointed to Vacancies as aforesaid; sending their Lordships a List of their Names and dates of the Warrants that Entries may be made accordingly in the Books of this Office giving these Officers such Instructions as your Lordship shall judge proper for carryg them into Execution &c