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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Henry Eustace McCulloh to John Harvey
McCulloh, Henry Eustace, d. ca. 1810
September 13, 1767
Volume 07, Pages 516-518

[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.]
Letter from Henry Eustace McCulloh to John Harvey Esq

Kings—square—Court, Soho London
13th Septr 1767.

Presuming upon the place which I have ever flattered myself I have enjoyed in your favorable opinion,—I do myself the pleasure to offer you a Correspondent, and as my political Intelligence will not be drawn from common sources,—it may perhaps be more satisfactory and serviceable to you.—

Politics are at this season always at a stand as the Men of Business are all in the Country;—the death of Mr Geo Townshend who was the first man in the Kingdom, for abilities as a Speaker, has for this two or three days, brought all parties to town,—tho' the Consequences have not yet transpired:—let who will be in.—

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it is expected that America will be treated with Gentleness: Granville, whose obstinacy of Sentiment, does him disgrace with his best friends, will never return to power;—My Lord Bute, is in fact the first mover.—his power in the house of Lords & Commons, as well as with the King is unequalled;—he is however greatly injured in the Opinions of the Americans, if they conceive the least Apprehensions from his Influence;—My Lord Chatham is politically dead, & is not considered in the Scale of Business:—the Gout has settled in his head;—he sees nobody,—and does not know even his own family:—a second Child-hood, is the fate of most great Geniuses, and his name & memory will certainly stand foremost in the Annals of Things.—A vast struggle for Power, is expected this Winter. A Circulating medium for America, will certainly be an Object of parliamentary discussion,—there are three ways talked of,—1st to furnish us with Exchequer bearing Interest,—to be let into Circulation, partly by the payment of the Army and Navy bills,—partly on loan to the sev1 Cols—the 2d—to establish a Bank for America, as an Appendage to the Bank of England, and to supply us with Bank-notes:—the 3d (and I think the most probable and eligible)—to take the Affairs of the Colonies out of the hands of the Parliamt and place them in their old Channel, that is, under the direction of the Crown, and the Great Boards,—by repealing the restrictive Acts—in which Case the colonies will be admitted to issue Bills, as they judge most expedient, on these conditions, 1st that they are not to exceed the Quantum prescribed by Parliament—nor at any time after to increase it, witht leave from the Crown: 2dly—that all debts due at the time of the Emission shall be secured in value, and not suffer by any increase of Exchange, occasioned by such Emission.—3dly—that all sterling debts & contracts, shall be paid in Value:—To these conditions I shod imagine the Americans could not have any very weighty objections:—but previous to anything on this head, the assent of the Colonies respectively, to these conditions;—must be signified, by an Agent properly authorized,—and without this nothing will be done :—There seems then an apparent Necessity, that either an Agent be appointed generally, or some person in whom you can place confidence, named & authorized for this particular Service.—If your House of Assembly conceive, that from my Knowledge of the Country, and connections here, it may be in my power to transact this particular service for them,—I do thro' You,
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Sir,—humbly make them an Offer of my best Exertions, (in which I would not doubt Success) and beg leave to mention, that the honor of the Service is all I have in view—and if I can be happy in meriting their Approbation, I shall conceive myself amply recompensed:—and shod this matter be agitated, I would not have any mention made of a pecuniary Acknowledgemt—as I would choose to have that matter left to their future discretion entirely:—my Father's knowledge & extensive Connections with almost every distinguished Character of Business in the Kingdom, (to all whom I shall be particularly introduced,) give me reason to think, that my offer of service may not be conceived improperly,—but I must intreat you as a friend to whom I have freely opened myself, that if this matter cannot be done in a manner honorable to me,—it is not attempted,—for my Views are entirely independent of Interest—I think I could serve you;—I am willing to endeavor it without expence to the Country,—and you are the best Judges.—My mandamus need be no objection, as I shall certainly resign it.

To the establishmt of American Commissn of the Customs, you can be no Stranger and I should conceive, is ultimately advantageous to America.

I shall expect to be often favd with hearing from you, and of your political Maneuvres, largely. I imagine it may be two or three Years before I visit Carolina;—it has (& justly) my best Wishes & Affections, as the spot which contains both my friends & my possessions.—

I most sincerely hope you & your good family enjoy all manner of health & happiness;—Your Character justly entitles you to the Esteem of all who know you,—and believe me I conceive myself happy in the thoughts of your friendly prejudices—should anything arise here, in my power to render you acceptable Service,—I entreat you, freely command me.

I remain with Respect
Dear Sir
Your friend, & most obed. Ser
HENRY E. McCULLOH.
John Harvey Esqr