I have received your Lordships letters No 18 & 19. The first signifies his Majestys pleasure that I do not communicate any copies or extracts of such letters as I may receive from his Majestys principal Secretary of State, unless I have his Majestys particular directions for so doing; this injunction I shall carefully observe.

The former indulgence of communicating that correspondence, exercised on particular local circumstances, and with discretion proved often beneficial to his Majestys service. There are times, my Lord, when the utmost ingenuity will scarce satisfy, and men, who will not be convinced without demonstration.

His Majestys speech and the addresses of both Houses came inclosed in your Lordships letter of the 15th November 1768 No 19. Such glorious testimonies on the part of the Sovereign and such firmness and unanimity expressed in the addresses, in support of so essential a branch of legislation as the supreme legislative authority of Great Britain over every part of the British empire, must fill the breast of every loyal subject with gratitude and affection: Equitable and proper measures will not fail to disappoint the wicked intention of all who industriously strive to disturb the repose and felicity of the British dominions.

I thank you, my Lord, for your communication of the happy increase in their Majestys royal family, by the birth of a princess; an intelligence that afforded me much satisfaction, tho' I received it while under affliction for the death of my own son.

Agreeable to his Majesty's royal permission I shall at the next session recommend the appointment of an Agent to transact the affairs of this province at home and shall observe in that business the mode your Lordship prescribes. The obstruction that has chiefly prevented such an appointment is mentioned in my letter No 23 which I wish may be taken into consideration.