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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from William Tryon to Henry Seymour Conway
Tryon, William, 1729-1788
March 03, 1766
Volume 07, Pages 188-189

[From Tryon's Letter Book.]
Letter from Governor Tryon to Honorable Henry Seymore Conway Esq

North Carolina Brunswick 3d March 1766

The dispatches I had the honor to direct to you of the 25th of last month, I laid before his Majesty's Council as will be seen by the extract from the Council Journal. My proclamation of the 26th past I understand has given general satisfaction to the inhabitants concerned in the late disturbances from its moderation. As I had no power to redress their tumults, it was thought most expedient not to inflame grievances. The General Assembly I shall prorogue from time to time till I have the honor to receive his Majesty's further instructions. I find by the public papers that those Colonies who have held Assemblies in the present time have entered warmly into disputes relative to the Stamp Act, without doing any business for his Majesty's interest or the benefit of the Colonies. As I have therefore as yet had no disputes with the General Assembly, I esteem it

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advisable to prevent as much as possible any breach in the Legislature, as by this caution, I think I shall be best able to support the honor and dignity of government, till I can be informed of the resolutions taken by his Majesty and his Parliament, to terminate the present disturbances in these provinces.

If it should ever be found necessary to send military force into this colony, the first week in October is the soonest they should arrive, if brought from a more northward country, Were they to land in the heat of the summer, this climate would be as fatal to them, as the climate of Pensacola has proved to the troops sent there. Capt Lobb has acquainted me he has received the 25th past twenty two days provision from the Contractor. I have inclosed a copy of the Mayor of Wilmingtons letter in answer to mine put up with the dispatches, of the 25th of February, directed to the Mayor. Captain Dalrymple has made his report to me that the cannon at Fort Johnston are almost all cleared of the spikes and that without any prejudice to the guns.

Mr. Randolph, Surveyor General of his Majesty's customs who is now with me on his return from Charles Town has at my request reinstated Mr Pennington in his office of Comptroller for this Port. I must beg leave to mention Capt Phipps to you, Sir who takes charge of these dispatches and to refer you to him for any further particulars relative to the disturbances here, he having been present and intimately acquainted with every step that was taken. The spirit and zeal he has shewn while on this station for his Majesty's service and the honor of his profession, does him great credit.

I have the honor to be &c