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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from William Tryon to Wills Hill, Marquis of Downshire
Tryon, William, 1729-1788
January 12, 1769
Volume 08, Page 7

[From Tryon's Letter Book.]
Letter from Governor Tryon to Lord Hillsborough.

Brunswick 12th Jany 1769.

It is with a singular pleasure I am able to inform your Lordship the house building at Newbern for the Governor of this province is covered in and roofed. The plumbers work was executed by an able hand sent purposely over from London, He made use of eight ton of lead. The frames and window sashes are fixed up and the joiners now at work on the inside of the house. Both the wings or offices are likewise roofed and shingled a covering when well executed and painted, more beautiful than slate or tyle. The sashes for these offices are come in from England and will soon be fixed up. Four of the principal chimney pieces are arrived also from London, with the hinges, locks, and other articles necessary for the finishing this much admired structure. As I think there is great elegance both in the taste and workmanship in the chimney piece for the Council Chamber, I take the liberty to inclose you the description. As prosperous and successful as this work has been carried on, and I flatter myself will proceed with similar dispatch, there is something still wanting to make the whole complete and of a piece. It is, my Lord, furniture and plate, suitable to the simplicity and unornamented beauty of the building, what furniture I have here, has been so abused, that it would disgrace even the upper story of the edifice. I therefore beg leave to apply to his Majesty's munificence for these necessary interior conveniences and ornaments An extention of his Majestys liberality on this occasion would I am persuaded, be most gratefully received by the province, be a convincing mark of his royal approbation of their public conduct, and remain with the edifice, as a testimony of his Majestys unbounded generosity, and correspondent to the splendor of his time

Your Lordships good offices in promoting this petition of his Majesty's Governor to the Throne will gratefully oblige

Your Lordships most devoted &c