Agreable to His Excellency the Commander in Chiefs Order of the 26 of April last, respecting the intentions of the Officers & Soldiers of the Regiment under my Command, I have at your desire collected as near as possible the most exact information.

As the whole of the Officers, & Soldiers were residing in America before the War, & were Possessed of Property of which they are deprived by the Preliminary Articles with America-

And are for ever excluded from returning or receiving any part of it-

And as they cannot think of going again among a People whose Government & Principles they Detest & whom they endeavourd to suppress to the utmost of their Power-

You will please to represent to His Excellency the Commander in Chief, that the Officers being entirely Destitute of any Support except what little they may expect from their Most Gracious Sovereign, for their Services, Are Unanimously resolved to embark from hence for some British Settlement, However soon they may be Ordered, & they will regulate their Course for Britain, Halifax, or the West Indies, as soon as they are informed of any Provisions being made for them.

You will likewise please to represent to His Excellency that the whole of the Soldiers wish to receive their Discharges here, and are of the same resolution with the Officers, Except about One fourth, who have families on the Continent and seem desirous of returning to them.

I have the Honour
to be
Sir
Your very hble Servt.
Thos FRASER Maj
So Ca Royalists

16 May 1783

Brigr. Genl. McARTHUR

Great Britain, Public Record Office, Headquarters Papers of the British Army in America, PRO 30/55/7694.

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