Whereas by the Departure of His Excelly George Burrington Esqr His Majesties Governour in Chief of this Province, the Government thereof devolved upon the Honoble Nathaniel Rice Esqr pursuant to His Majesties Royal Instruction declaring that upon the Death or Departure of the Governour out of the Province, the first Councellor shall take upon him the Administration of the Government with the Title of President and Commander in Chief thereof. And whereas all the Members of His Majesties Council Reside above Two Hundred miles from the seat of Government so that they could not have notice to be present the said Nathaniel Rice being first Councellor took & Subscribed the several Oaths by Law Enjoyned for Qualification of Publick Officers in presence of us the subscribers and caused publication thereof to be made by Proclamation and therein continued all officers Civil and Military in their respectives post and Employments & then took upon him the administration of the Government. The Honoble the President thereupon Directed Summons to Issue to the Members of His Majesties Council to meet at the Council Chamber in Edenton on Monday the 20th day of May next.