In the study of the events of the Revolution, one cannot but be impressed with the important share which the movements and achievements of the navy of Great Britain, had in deciding the military events. It has often been remarked that had King George been as well served ashore, as he was afloat, the Revolution might have ended very differently. Therefore, it may be assumed that the history of that great struggle will not be entirely complete until the work done at sea on both sides is more fully dealt with in its bearing on the land operations. In such a study, the material facts are available to an extent which does not seem to be widely known; for in the great Public Record Office of the Crown, in Chancery Lane, London, are stored away the actual orders, reports and correspondence of the naval officials of that period, and in addition the actual log books of the vessels. The former include Admirals’ despatches, filed in the Navy Side, under the heading “Admiralty Secretary, In Letters,” and those relating to the strife with the thirteen colonies, during the period 1774 to 1784 inclusive, are indexed by the name of the “North American Station,” and numbered 484, 485, 486, 487 and 488. Of the mass of interesting material therein I was able, during a short visit, only to examine hastily one great package, which I found teeming with details of the affairs of the time, the confidential communications not only of the superior, but of subordinate officers on different stations, captured papers, reports of spies, and lists of captured vessels, men, and goods. These papers are entirely free of access to any person, the only requirement being that they shall be examined in public, that no ink shall be used in copying, and that they are returned after every session. Up to a date one hundred years ago, the papers are available without any introduction or order, but if the enquirer should desire those of more recent date, a special order must be obtained. The courtesy of Sir Henry Maxwell-Lyte, K. C. B., Deputy Keeper of the Records, and of W. Stamp, his assistant must be acknowledged by myself, and will undoubtedly be experienced by other enquirers into these matters. It is extremely interesting to the student of history thus to handle and read the very documents which, received by the then authorities from the scene of actual hostilities, did so much in themselves to affect the course of events. These official naval documents may be supplemented by examination of the contemporary military papers of the period, those emanating from the pseudo-civil governors of the colonies containing especially interesting matter.