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George the Third by the grace of god of great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the faith &. To Our Trusty and well beloved <b><font color="yellow">Sir Ernie Sands</font id="yellow"></b> Greeting! We reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty Courage and good Conduct Do by these presents constitute and appoint You to be <b><font color="yellow">Lieutenant General</font id="yellow"></b> of all Our Forces military and naval from the Twenty-ninth of April 1776 and we do hereby give and grant You full Power and Authority to Command and take your Rank accordingly. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Lieutenant General by doing and performing all and all manner of Things thereunto belonging. And We Do hereby Command all Our Officers and Soldiers whom it may Concern to acknowledge and obey You as a Lieutenant General. And You are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from time to time as You shall receive from Us or any Your superior officer according to the Rules and Discipline of War in pursuance of the Trust We hereby repose in You.
Given at Our Court at Saint James the Twenty-ninth Day of April 1776 in the Sixteenth Year of Our Reign.
By His Majesty's Command
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