Folios 42-47. Folios 42-43. Minutes of a meeting held at Lord North's setting out...

Folios 42-47. Folios 42-43. Minutes of a meeting held at Lord North's setting out the agreed opinion of those present to be submitted to the King for the augmentation of the force under General Gage. Present the Lord Chancellor, Lord President, Lords Suffolk, Sandwich, Rochford, Dartmouth and North. Folios 44-45. Minutes of a meeting held at Lord North's dealing with the directions to be sent to General [Guy] Carleton; augmentation of the Royal Regiment of Highlanders and the regiment in Ireland; the transfer of regiments from Gibraltar and Minorca to America. Present the Lord Chancellor, Lord President, Lords Dartmouth, Suffolk and North. Folios 46-47. Minutes of a meeting held at Lord North's. 'The Lords present being of opinion that [deleted it is impossible in] the present situation of public affairs will not admit of adhering strictly to the rule of constantly keeping 12,000 men in Ireland agree to recommend to the King to send five regiments from Ireland to reinforce the army under General Gage which will be speedily replaced by the intended augmentation and that immediate orders be given for the transports to convey them. It is also agreed to suggest to the Commander in Chief in America whether it may not be proper to retain such part of his force as may be necessity [necessary] to secure the possession of Boston, and to detach the rest to take possession of some other posts to the southward [deleted of Boston]. The Lords present[ly] think it absolutely necessary that extraordinary means should be used for recruiting the Army and for that end, to submit to this Majesty whether the plan offered by Sir John Blaquiere ought not to be adopted. The Lords are of the opinion that a force, not less than 20,000 men exclusive of Canadians and Indians should be assembled in America in April next, and for that purpose that every possible plan of augmentation be immediately entered upon. Agreed to submit to his Majesty whether the guards should not be augmented with the other regiments of infantry'. Present the Lord Chancellor, Lords Sandwich, Rochford, North and Dartmouth.