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My Lords,

I seize this opportunity, by a ship which is to sail tomorrow from Fort Johnston to acquaint your Lordships, Governor Dobbs died at Brunswick the 28th of last month.

I was escorting Lord Adam Gordon thro' part of this Province, when the news of this Event reached me. I returned immediately, & last night took into my Possession the Great Seal of the Province, and the Governor's Commissn He delivered to me the 21st last month, (a few hours before he was taken ill) His Majesty's Instructions, and many Public Letters, from your Lordships Board, but as they were in a confused State, I have not yet made a complete arrangement of them, or considered their Contents.

I spent two months in a Tour through this Province, and am determined in my opinion, that the Public Business of it can be carried on nowhere with so much conveniency and advantage to far the greatest part of the Inhabitants, as at New Bern, a Town situated on a neck of Land, at the confluence of the rivers Neuse and Trent.

I expect a sufficient number of members to hold a Council in a day or two, when agreable to His Majesty's Instructions, I shall take the advice of the Council, relative to the time and place of

holding the Assembly, as soon as the usual Proclamations on these Occasions are issued, I shall trouble your Lordships with such Observations as occur to me, on the present state of this Province, the Public Offices and Records, shall be the object of my particular Attention.

As I shall use my utmost Diligence to send every intelligence I think will give either Information or Satisfaction to your Lordships, so on the other hand I flatter myself my Representations in behalf of the Province will meet with a proper Consideration and support from your Lordships, as such a countenance will give fresh life, and strength to my Inclinations & Endeavours, & cannot fail of producing the best Effects between His Majesty's Governor & the People. I am with perfect respect & esteem, my Lords, &c,

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