GEORGE R. George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith &ca. To Our Trusty and Wellbeloved Sir Henry Clinton, Knight of the Bath, Lieutenant General of Our Forces and General of Our Forces in - - - America only Greeting. We having by Our Commission under Our Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date the Thirty first day of the last Month, appointed you tobe General and Commander in Chief of all and singular Our Forces employed or to be employed within Our Colonies in North America, lying upon the Atlantick Ocean, from Nova Scotia on the North, to West Florida on the South both inclusive in the room of Sir William Howe, Knight of the Bath. Now for the better Government of Our said Forces during their continuance under your Command, We have thought fit to authorize and empower you to punish all Offenders and Transgressors against the Act of Parliament for punishing Mutiny and Desertion, and for the better payment of the Army and their Quarters, or against the Rules of Military Discipline by Death or otherwise, according to the nature of their Offences as they shall appear before a Court Martial; which We do hereby give you full power and authority to assemble as often as you shall find occasion, according to the directions of an Act of Parliament for punishing Mutiny and Desertion, and according to their Judgment you are to cause Sentence to be pronounced against the Person or Persons so offending, either of pains of Death, or such other pains and penalties as shall be thought fit to be inflicted by the said Court Martial, or Courts Martial in pursuance of the said Act; which said Sentence or Sentences, you are to cause to be put in Execution, mitigate, pardon, or to suspend the same as in your discretion you shall see cause, We giving you power to reprieve any person under Sentence until Our Pleasure shall be known. And for the Execution of Justice in Our said Forces, We do give you authority to appoint a Provost Marshal & likewise to appoint a Judge Advocate from time to time to attend the said Courts Martial for the more orderly proceedings of the same. And We do further Authorize you to cause exact Musters to be taken of Our said, Forces, and to Sign Warrants for their pay according to the said Musters in pursuance of such Establishments as shall be made for that purpose. And Whereas by such establishments provision is to be made for such Contingent Charges as may arise for Our Service and the use of the said Forces, you are hereby Authorized to direct the payment of the said Money in such proportions as you shall in your discretion think necessary for the purpose aforesaid. Given at Our Court at St. James's the Fifth Day of August 1778. In the Eighteenth year of Our Reign. - By His Majesty's Command. - Geo: Germain [docket] Entered with the Secretary at War [illegible]. Sir Henry Clinton, Knight of the Bath Commission.